tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:19:01 +0000SocialFamilyFriendshipTravelEuropean ToursPoliticsActivities in KelantanHobbyFoodSchool DaysPaintingsTravelsVegetable Gardening.FriendshpFunGeneralEastern Europe TourSchooldaysBoksing KelateCamerasCelebrationCharityFestivals In KelantanHealthKeningauKundasang.LabuanMat CendanaNaturePasir Mas.Sultan Ibrahim School Pasir Mas.AidilfitriAirAsiaAkmalAlternative MedicinesAnti gravityAppliancesArchitectureArtsBekamCarsChasing DreamsComputersCycling RaceDIYDigiDivingEventsEvents Around KelantanExhibitionsFateFishingFriendship. Syam Restoran Kota Bharu.GatheringGorekHari Raya.HomeHouseHovercraftKL TripKetupat Daun PalasLandscapeLoy KrathongMalay Traditional Weddings.Muay ThaiMy Life's JourneyNasi Daun PisangPanggung GerodaPeristiwa di KelantanPocket BikesPolitics.Pulau RedangPulut BakarRanauRecipeRestaurantsRex TheatreSabahSakmongkol AK47Second PostSocial.TV9TagsTaman Negara KelantanTambunanTechnologyTomoiTomoi In KelantanYati Ayam PerchikZaharan RazakshoppingLAISILife As I See It...http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)Blogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-3531135178602409159Fri, 13 Sep 2013 00:40:00 +00002013-09-13T08:56:47.616+08:00Guilty FeelingThe last post I did on this blog was done on<br /><h2 class="date-header">Thursday, January 3, 2013</h2><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="6671709643459797082"></a> <br /><h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2013/01/back-on-treadmill.html">Back On The Treadmill</a></h3><div class="post-title entry-title"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Yes, it was such a long time ago. I really feel guilty for not continue to blog as I have so much to write about. There are too many reasons why I didn't continue blogging but there is no point in delving them as it will definitely be a bore. the point I want to say is..I am blogging again. It matters not if there wont be anybody to read it, but it serve the purpose of preserving this blog Life As I See It... LAISI for short. Hopefully my future generations will peek into this blog to see some of the things I wrote even after I am long gone.</span></span></div><div class="post-title entry-title"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Earlier I have had problems logging into this site as I couldn't key in my password due to the presence of the newer LAISI which I constructed after I lost access to the original LAISI. Now that I have regained access, I am going to delete the newer LAISI in order to avoid further complications when senility starts encroaching into this tired old brain.</span></span></div><div class="post-title entry-title"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">The travel bug is biting me again. Since my last post on my trip to Eastern Europe, I have travelled to Jogjakarta in November 2011, Surabaya/Malang in Oktober 2012 both in Indonesia. Revently barely 3 months after my heart operation in March 2013, I took a trip with my family to Hong Kong in May 2013. Nexton my list is a cruise on Star Cruise Libra with the famous compere Aznil Haji Nawawi.</span></span></div><div class="post-title entry-title"><br /></div><div class="post-title entry-title"></div><div class="post-title entry-title"><img alt="http://www.malaysianharmony.com.my/images/documents/itinerary/1371009027-muslim%20media%20PAK%20NIL.jpg" class="shrinkToFit decoded" height="675" src="http://www.malaysianharmony.com.my/images/documents/itinerary/1371009027-muslim%20media%20PAK%20NIL.jpg" width="477" />&nbsp;</div><div class="post-title entry-title"><br /></div><div class="post-title entry-title"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Next on my agenda will be a trip to Yangon Burma with my wife in February 2014 followed by doing the Umrah with my wife, my daughter Azura and her husband Ridzuan.</span></span></div><div class="post-title entry-title"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Hopefully my coming back to blogging will bring some cheer to those who care to visit this site. It should keep me occupied too as I feel I need to wean myself off from too much of Facebook which had kept me away from blogging thus far.</span></span></div>http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2013/09/guilty-feeling.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-6671709643459797082Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:06:00 +00002013-01-22T08:14:06.447+08:00HealthBack On The Treadmill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xRIDXYDEMnI/UOUWeQ340GI/AAAAAAAAJx8/IqE9713_Hmc/s1600/treadmill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-xRIDXYDEMnI/UOUWeQ340GI/AAAAAAAAJx8/IqE9713_Hmc/s320/treadmill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It has been more than four months since my last post and it has been much longer since I last used the treadmill. I have no good reason to lay off any of them other than laziness. I have promised several people including my son Azuan that I will continue to blog and post new stories but nothing came out of it. Unlike the days of old, making a new post seems to be quite a mental effort. The enthusiasms of old seems to be vanishing all the more so with the popularity of Facebook which seems to be the new preoccupation of even the most ardent of bloggers. Only a few hardcore bloggers most of whom a political bloggers seem to survive.<br />With the coming of 2013 I guess it is time for me to make a new resolve and continue to blog. There is so much to share and perhaps the sharing may help others and may even save their lives. "Is it that serious?" you may ask. Yes! It is that serious.<br />As a start for the new year I did a slow walk on the treadmill beginning with a speed of 2 kph at 0 degrees inclination and peaking at 6 kph at 2 degrees inclination and slowing down to 3 kph at 0 inclination for 30 minutes covering a distance of 2 kilometers. 70 calories of energy was expended. All the while I kept a close watch on my pulse rate so as not to exceed 125 beats per minute though the threshold for my age is 150 beeps per minute. Good enough for a start as anything more could be exerting too much strain on a certain section of my vital organ<br />Prior to this wet season gardening was the way for me to sweat it out. Unfortunately tough physical job is taboo to me now. The balmy wet weather is not the reason that I have to be on the treadmill to exercise. The reason is the incidental finding of me to be suffering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdominal_aortic_aneurysm" target="_blank">Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm</a>, AAA for short or Triple A as is often referred to by doctors. The gist of this disease is the swelling of the aorta, the major artery exiting the heart. In my case it occurred in two places along the same artery with the one at the upper arch as most serious as it is more than 3 times the normal size. Intervention is usually recommended if the aneurysm exceeds 5.5 cm in size. In my case it far exceeded that threshold level.<br />This Triple A condition wouldn't have been detected if I hadn't suffered from a thyroid disorder. It was sometime in October 2012 that I had discovered a lump the size of a halved egg on my throat. It was diagnosed as hypo thyroid disorder when a thyroid function test was carried out on my blood sample. Fortunately for me a Dr. Andy Zulqarnaen of Hospital University Sains Malaysia had taken up my case and he suggested that the thyroid be removed after a further investigation to determine the malignancy of the tumor. <br />The Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) procedure was carried but the result was later found to be negative. We reached consensus after a discussion with Dr. Andee that an operation to remove both lobes of my thyroid even though the FNAC result was benign tumor. The sample used to determine the result via FNAC was too minute and I could risk a cancerous tumor as an Ultrasound Scan later showed a widespread coverage of the nodes reaching the collar bones on the lower side and the jugular vein on the left side of my neck. If the tumor is indeed cancerous, I may have to undergo a second operation of the other lobe if only the enlarged right lobe was removed.<br />I was admitted to Ward Dua Intan at HUSM on 21st November 2012. An X ray was taken the night before the operation. The total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma was&nbsp; performed the next day by a team of doctors led by Consultant Endocrinologist Miss Maya Mazuin. Dr. Azlina was the anesthetist. Other surgeons assisting Dr. Maya were Mr. Mizwan, Miss Galpalam and Miss Athirah. Dr. Andee was in the operating theater even though he wasn't performing the operation. It was a marathon operation which started at 10.00 AM and ended at 4.00 PM. To all these people and many others in Wad 2 Intan, from the bottom of my heart, I beg to offer you a BIG thank you.<br />To recuperate, I had to be warded further. Two drainage tubes were attached to my body leading to two bottles to receive the discharge from the sutured incision. The bottles were marked as A and B and the amount of discharge was monitored. They will be removed after the level of discharge was reduced. I will be only discharged from the hospital once the drainage tubes are removed.<br />One of the tubes was removed on the 25th of November and&nbsp; the other one was removed the next day. On the 26th morning the head of Specialist Outpatient Department (SOPD) came with a group of doctors including the doctors who operated on me. They decided that I was ready for discharge and Dr, Maya Mazuin was given the honor to remove the tape that covered the incision on my neck. That afternoon, I returned home after 5 days in the hospital ward.<br />Meanwhile the removed thyroid tissues were sent to the laboratory for further analysis. <br />The X-ray done on the night prior to the operation showed an enlarged aorta and the surgeons were notified of the finding by the radiologist. This finding was conveyed to me during my recuperation in the ward. A Computer Tomography (CT Scan) is necessary to really determine the extent of the enlargement. The CT Scan was done on 13th December 2013 and I was scheduled to meet a doctor at SOPD on 30th December 2013.<br />Dr. Lee Say Bob showed me the images of the CT Scan on the computer. There were two sections of the enlargement and the one of importance is the upper arch of the aorta as the enlargement far exceeded the threshold level of 5.5 cm diameter where intervention is necessary. Mine was measured at 6.7 cm! The one on the lower section is smaller and could probably be dealt with by inserting a stent. Another finding from the CT Scan is that of cysts in my kidneys.<br />Dr. Bob confirmed that the findings of the pathology laboratory on the thyroid tissues were of malignant tumor. The total removal of my thyroid was the right thing to do. <br />After a lengthy explanation by Dr. Bob of the dangers involved as a rupture may lead to fatality, in the presence of my wife, I agreed for an intervention surgery to be performed. It could be done in the General Hospital Kota Bharu but the earliest date that I could have an appointment with the Cardiologist is 14th March 2013 which is months away. Anything could happen to me within that period.<br />My other alternative is to have the intervention surgery done at Institiut Jantung Negara in Kuala Lumpur. For that I will have to meet Professor Madya Dr. Ziyadi at the Cardio Unit HUSM on 9th Jan for a reference to IJN. Hopefully after that I will be able to secure an earlier date for the intervention surgery at IJN. <br />All these while I have been oblivious to my ailment as the Electrocardiography (ECG) done at the local clinic has not shown any sign of the problem. It is not that the disease has been totally asymptomatic which I have been telling the doctors at HUSM that examine me, but I did not relate the mild chest pains that I have been suffering as well as the many other tell tale sign that are the symptoms of such an ailment medically known as fusiform thoracic aneurysm. Other notable symptoms are the pain in the lower back, the swelling of the leg which is known as edema and when pressed with a fingger, it is clearly a pitting edema. Most of the time I have been telling myself that the tough physical work that i have been doing was the cause of the muscular pain in the upper left chest.<br />To all my friends in the age bracket of 50 and above a CT scan of the thorax, abdomen and pelvic area is a good thing to do just to be sure. HUSM Kubang Kerian Kota Bharu charges RM300 - RM550 for a CT Scan. My scan for a thorax and abdomen should cost me RM550 but as a government retiree, I got it done for free. If you have any chest pain however mild, pain in the lower back or pain in the kidney, get a CT scan done, the sooner the better.<br />For the moment I will be working on my treadmill to improve my overall health so that I will be able to face another arduous operation under at IJN. A serious regime of dieting to reduce my cholesterol level and control my hypertension is also of paramount importance.<br /><br />Any doctors out there who may notice any mistake in this post, please do not hesitate to correct me as I am only a humble farmer trying to warn others who may have been suffering the same problem without realizing it.<br /><br /><br />http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2013/01/back-on-treadmill.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-9177660928372703191Sun, 12 Aug 2012 05:08:00 +00002012-08-12T13:08:24.294+08:00DIYTiling Job In Kerteh<br /><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">&nbsp; </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It was the most inopportune time to do such a heavy job like tiling during the fasting month of Ramadhan. It was planned to be done earlier before the beginning of Ramadhan but due to the delay in completion of other job by the so called contractor, it had to be done during the fasting month itself.<br />My son in law Lokman had requested me to do the tiling job for his extended kitchen at his home in Kerteh, Terengganu. Since I love tiling job and the prospect of laying large 600 x 600 mm (approx 24 x 24 inc) tiles for the first time, made me accept the offer. I haven't worked on such tile size before and lacked the equipment as I only have 18 inches cutter that can cut tiles below 18 inches. I have checked around at the hardware shops and the cheapest model would cost me RM320.00. So I invested in a cheaper made in China Bossman marble cutter instead which costs only RM210 inclusive of a 4 inch disc blade. It should complement my Makita 6 inch circular saw that can be converted to a marble cutter by replacing the cutting disc to cut tiles. My earlier perception that there will not be much cutting needed since the large tiles will only be for the table tops, sides and pillars. How wrong I was as the table was only 22 inches wide and most pieces of the large tiles must be trimmed to 23 inches, the final width of the kitchen table top. As an advice to any home maker, please ensure that the kitchen table tops are designed for 24 inches and thus avoid lots of trimmings and cutting and save on man hours.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cw13DdUQwv4/UCceOQlv2II/AAAAAAAAJtA/ACV4ja7FtJ8/s1600/balik+rumah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>I went to Kerteh some three days before the beginning of the fasting month.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeUjIJ8bMCA/UCcPwUhCQYI/AAAAAAAAJpI/-dCagkFmIMw/s1600/equipment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeUjIJ8bMCA/UCcPwUhCQYI/AAAAAAAAJpI/-dCagkFmIMw/s320/equipment.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;The tools for the job.</div>All the necessary tools and some that maybe needed were brought along. Among the tools that I brought along are the Makita circular saw, the Bossman marble cutter, the mini jack hammer, a powerful masonry drill, the 18 inch tile cutter, an angled grinder, 2 lengths of 1 x 3 inches hollow aluminium bars and various small tools.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OqxIHzPLOPg/UCcQ9sj1-nI/AAAAAAAAJrs/uexN1yxaV_c/s1600/tiles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OqxIHzPLOPg/UCcQ9sj1-nI/AAAAAAAAJrs/uexN1yxaV_c/s320/tiles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp; The stack of tiles that I will be using.</div>&nbsp;I had to wait for several days for other workers to complete the job or demolishing one wall of the house and concreting the floors of the extended area. At the last minute, my daughter decided to have a basinet near the dining area which requires some plumbing job for the water supply and outlet pipe. It required hacking and much dust was generated which spread all over the house despite a large plastic sheet was used as a screen.<br />While waiting for all these jobs to be done before I could proceed with my job, I spent time helping Lokman to paint up the outside walls of the extended kitchen.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2hEkuFtGeYo/UCcTJ1OD_0I/AAAAAAAAJsU/37Nk4cGnhMY/s1600/me+painting+with+balkis.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2hEkuFtGeYo/UCcTJ1OD_0I/AAAAAAAAJsU/37Nk4cGnhMY/s320/me+painting+with+balkis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp; Balkis is always there to assist.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3QK5Hta7KUQ/UCcStRKdhTI/AAAAAAAAJr8/mwYwHbN5_ek/s1600/balkis+hard+at+work.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3QK5Hta7KUQ/UCcStRKdhTI/AAAAAAAAJr8/mwYwHbN5_ek/s320/balkis+hard+at+work.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp; We let 5 years old Balkis to do whatever she could possibly do as a form of training.<br />&nbsp;There were ample time for me to enjoy the company of Balkis whenever she isn't attending her kindergarten classes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-benCvULvp60/UCcQsS1m30I/AAAAAAAAJq0/tFNI5Znbb3Q/s1600/pose1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-benCvULvp60/UCcQsS1m30I/AAAAAAAAJq0/tFNI5Znbb3Q/s320/pose1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Balkis is enjoying herself watching cartoons on her mother's iPad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bx6v0Az_fsY/UCcQuEWuYzI/AAAAAAAAJq8/Odj_e8n3T0A/s1600/pose2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bx6v0Az_fsY/UCcQuEWuYzI/AAAAAAAAJq8/Odj_e8n3T0A/s320/pose2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here she watches the cartoons on TV.</div>&nbsp;When I told her to pose, these are the poses she gave me.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz35LuNLSVg/UCcQwNaBlyI/AAAAAAAAJrE/nXwZVism1yE/s1600/pose3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz35LuNLSVg/UCcQwNaBlyI/AAAAAAAAJrE/nXwZVism1yE/s320/pose3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qkdp9BadYnY/UCcQz1oTrmI/AAAAAAAAJrU/I19zbqMwCNA/s1600/pose5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qkdp9BadYnY/UCcQz1oTrmI/AAAAAAAAJrU/I19zbqMwCNA/s320/pose5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">She is indeed a lively girl.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rBTqQZkdM5U/UCcQgc45QgI/AAAAAAAAJqE/3fXeI26IZCM/s1600/kitchen2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rBTqQZkdM5U/UCcQgc45QgI/AAAAAAAAJqE/3fXeI26IZCM/s320/kitchen2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;Finally the floor was done. The plaster ceiling gang will move in next and they will take up another two days.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-slDo-Cm5sgU/UCcQqwxJyvI/AAAAAAAAJqs/5P6j8SvSQUI/s1600/painting2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-slDo-Cm5sgU/UCcQqwxJyvI/AAAAAAAAJqs/5P6j8SvSQUI/s320/painting2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">After the ceiling was done Lokman painted the ceiling.</div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D2Ht9yl4GOU/UCcTCILrl8I/AAAAAAAAJsM/txZN-EISucs/s1600/Lokman+n+me.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D2Ht9yl4GOU/UCcTCILrl8I/AAAAAAAAJsM/txZN-EISucs/s320/Lokman+n+me.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />&nbsp;Finally I could start my tiling job. 330 mm square tiles (about 13 inches square) were used. Lokman got it cheap as it was on offer in Paka at RM1.50 each. The tiles were of good quality except for some with chipped sides which I had to watch out and hide them somewhere or use them as skirtings.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NdSVpDlChR0/UCcQo-FoO-I/AAAAAAAAJqk/-OkOfKFlbkU/s1600/painting1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NdSVpDlChR0/UCcQo-FoO-I/AAAAAAAAJqk/-OkOfKFlbkU/s320/painting1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;When an area is done with the tilings, painting is immediately carried out. My daughter Azini too helped out.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wIkjq-oSt2Q/UCcQ_N13qmI/AAAAAAAAJrw/4wgLgveA3ZA/s1600/young+helper.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wIkjq-oSt2Q/UCcQ_N13qmI/AAAAAAAAJrw/4wgLgveA3ZA/s320/young+helper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Balkis is always there to help out.</div>&nbsp; The biggest challenge is doing the table top for the kitchen cabinet which involved the use of the large 600 mm tiles. The place where the kitchen hob is to be placed requires cutting out a section of the tiles. My first try ended in a chipped piece and I had to do a new one. The other place that requires such cuttings was the place for the sink. Where no such cutouts were required, the job was a breeze. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-czQNguusKns/UCcPqGh7yJI/AAAAAAAAJow/_Pxp5suZoKc/s1600/cooker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-czQNguusKns/UCcPqGh7yJI/AAAAAAAAJow/_Pxp5suZoKc/s320/cooker.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The water filter was placed there temporarily as we could not do without it.</div><br />I had to invest in the bigger 24 inch cutter which cost me RM400 which I bought in Paka, Terengganu as non of the shops in Kerteh stock the cheaper models. They have the high end model of Eye brand from Japan which was offered at RM750 which is considered cheap compared to other places. Since I am not a professional tiler, the cheaper model should suffice. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--L5MlDyUErY/UCcQiLzGwII/AAAAAAAAJqM/ktMYFQQ7_qo/s1600/large+cutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--L5MlDyUErY/UCcQiLzGwII/AAAAAAAAJqM/ktMYFQQ7_qo/s320/large+cutter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The 24 inch tile cutter beside my 18 inch cutter.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbpWWWyuigg/UCcPfVKfCPI/AAAAAAAAJoQ/_mdyyqPFohA/s1600/a+long+way+to+go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbpWWWyuigg/UCcPfVKfCPI/AAAAAAAAJoQ/_mdyyqPFohA/s320/a+long+way+to+go.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;The table top and the splash walls were almost done.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIJFBMKUDEs/UCcP94Pv0aI/AAAAAAAAJp8/D3riYYMU8AE/s1600/helper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIJFBMKUDEs/UCcP94Pv0aI/AAAAAAAAJp8/D3riYYMU8AE/s320/helper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My wife Fatthiyah helped out by filling the gaps with white cements where the white tiles were used.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-teen_M0k4gw/UCcS4zsa3VI/AAAAAAAAJsE/_uTUTS8IbEA/s1600/hampir+siap.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-teen_M0k4gw/UCcS4zsa3VI/AAAAAAAAJsE/_uTUTS8IbEA/s320/hampir+siap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5OBuyfiATas/UCcPoTfrUQI/AAAAAAAAJoo/fBni318rTH8/s1600/completed1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5OBuyfiATas/UCcPoTfrUQI/AAAAAAAAJoo/fBni318rTH8/s320/completed1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWbwvDB8xrs/UCcP2h-OpJI/AAAAAAAAJpk/mGmJJhYsSqA/s1600/finished+area.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWbwvDB8xrs/UCcP2h-OpJI/AAAAAAAAJpk/mGmJJhYsSqA/s320/finished+area.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp; The dining table and refrigerator were moved to the new dining area.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">The cabinet maker came to make the final measurement. They will only be moving in after Hari Raya as they have their hands full with orders. </div>Tiling job done. We celebrated by going to Bazaar Ramadan in Paka.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uLCOZm1S81s/UCcQnEXnC7I/AAAAAAAAJqc/Un0BTVmoQ-o/s1600/our+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uLCOZm1S81s/UCcQnEXnC7I/AAAAAAAAJqc/Un0BTVmoQ-o/s320/our+group.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;The whole family at the Bazaar Ramadan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NdSVpDlChR0/UCcQo-FoO-I/AAAAAAAAJqk/-OkOfKFlbkU/s1600/painting1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v1Q_v9HBTq0/UCcQk3w5Q9I/AAAAAAAAJqU/M41ATGz8GcU/s1600/nasi+arab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v1Q_v9HBTq0/UCcQk3w5Q9I/AAAAAAAAJqU/M41ATGz8GcU/s320/nasi+arab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Nasi Arab was my choice. Lokman and me opted for Nasi Mandy with beef curry which cost RM7.00. I wanted one with mutton but they said mutton is too expensive.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wa3DIZWSP6E/UCcPmQT18AI/AAAAAAAAJog/fhfPKaf3sLQ/s1600/colorful+drinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wa3DIZWSP6E/UCcPmQT18AI/AAAAAAAAJog/fhfPKaf3sLQ/s320/colorful+drinks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Colorful drinks.</div>&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6wKHkx9xxKU/UCcPsX090zI/AAAAAAAAJo4/VlfO46WQXDE/s1600/crowd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6wKHkx9xxKU/UCcPsX090zI/AAAAAAAAJo4/VlfO46WQXDE/s320/crowd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;The crowd.</div>&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2U_xdyzX0g/UCcPynaJYTI/AAAAAAAAJpQ/OvzO92E9LXA/s1600/faiq+w+mum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2U_xdyzX0g/UCcPynaJYTI/AAAAAAAAJpQ/OvzO92E9LXA/s320/faiq+w+mum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Mohamad Faiq is currently my youngest grandchild. At 5 months old he had to be carried around.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNj4nMtw3Wc/UCcP05g5yDI/AAAAAAAAJpc/k4rP4NxUNvQ/s1600/faiq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNj4nMtw3Wc/UCcP05g5yDI/AAAAAAAAJpc/k4rP4NxUNvQ/s320/faiq.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Close up of Mohamad Faiq. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y87hBVEGTEQ/UCcP8P-mBXI/AAAAAAAAJp0/CUEM_oquxRo/s1600/grilling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y87hBVEGTEQ/UCcP8P-mBXI/AAAAAAAAJp0/CUEM_oquxRo/s320/grilling.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Chickens being grilled.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wkZD4WgYv_s/UCcP5TSpdmI/AAAAAAAAJps/QnpjWD-ML1g/s1600/grilled+chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wkZD4WgYv_s/UCcP5TSpdmI/AAAAAAAAJps/QnpjWD-ML1g/s320/grilled+chicken.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Freshly grilled chicken. At this hour everything seems delicious. </div>&nbsp;All the work was done and finally we headed for home. We took the yet to be completed Lebuhraya Pantai Timur joining it at the Bukit Besi Interchange after Dungun and exiting at the Kuala Trengganu Interchange. It was a smooth drive but driving during the fasting month made me sleepy. We stopped at a mosque along the way to freshen up. It was very risky and I almost fell asleep when I reached the district of Pasir Mas from Tanah Merah. The stop in Kg. Chekok to collect some durians which I have ordered via my cousin Aminah was a much needed break.<br />We reached home safe and sound and was very relieved to find our home intact even after a two weeks absence. Thank you Allah for the safe journey home.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cw13DdUQwv4/UCceOQlv2II/AAAAAAAAJtA/ACV4ja7FtJ8/s1600/balik+rumah.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cw13DdUQwv4/UCceOQlv2II/AAAAAAAAJtA/ACV4ja7FtJ8/s320/balik+rumah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My next tiling job will most probably be at my son Azuan's newly purchased home in Shah Alam. After that job, the investment on the new tools can be considered as recouped.<br />http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2012/08/tiling-job-in-kerteh.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)13Kerteh, Terengganu, Malaysia4.5242339 103.44503574.2709794 103.12917870000001 4.7774883999999993 103.7608927tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-4927392508781540090Tue, 10 Jul 2012 05:15:00 +00002012-07-10T13:15:06.225+08:00Vegetable Gardening.Enjoy Fresh Vegetables by Planting Your Own<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This is the third time I worked on this piece of vacant land in front of my house to prevent it from becoming an eyesore and a breeding place for all sort of pests.&nbsp; By turning it into a vegetable plot it will provide me with fresh home grown vegetables as well as provide me with a good exercise to sweat it out and remove those toxins from my blood system.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: small;">The first time I started working on this idle patch of land in front of my house was in March 2009. I had to stop barely after 3 months later because the land owner brought a team of surveyors to demarcate the boundaries of his 3 house lots.</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Seeing that nothing was being done by the landowner after a year I worked on the land again but had to stop during the monsoon of 2011 due to the area becoming water logged as the drain that used to drain the area was clogged up with sand and debris. Together with two other neighbours we cleaned up the drain and constructed a concrete sump to prevent further clogging, thus rendering the area to be usable again.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iTkRLgEphNE/T_khORLeT3I/AAAAAAAAJlg/QgJe6OPQy10/s1600/Brushcutter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iTkRLgEphNE/T_khORLeT3I/AAAAAAAAJlg/QgJe6OPQy10/s320/Brushcutter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This was how the area looked like way back in 2009. The area was covered with rumput buluh or rumput bulu (lopatherum gracile) and semalu (mimosa sp).<br />&nbsp;I had asked my neighbour Pak Mat to join me in working the area as he had done so the fist time with me. Being old he preferred to maintain his small plot of maize and watermelon planted in rubber tyres filled with soil to raise its level for fear that a heavy rain may submerge his plants.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bHCQsJH-79I/T_udl-0xBjI/AAAAAAAAJnY/7zbFb3knP9U/s1600/kebun+pakmat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bHCQsJH-79I/T_udl-0xBjI/AAAAAAAAJnY/7zbFb3knP9U/s320/kebun+pakmat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pak Mat's garden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w7Im49axh6w/T_udrzU2OPI/AAAAAAAAJng/W7kCfpszCBw/s1600/timun.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w7Im49axh6w/T_udrzU2OPI/AAAAAAAAJng/W7kCfpszCBw/s320/timun.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Pak Mat's sole watermelon &nbsp;fruit only managed to grow to palm size. I doubt it can grow any bigger than this as his soil in the tyre is very limited.<br /><br />Clearing up the area was much easier this time around as a neighbour had used the area for his cattles to graze and thus the grasses were kept low. In March this year I started to plant up the area with the usual vegetables which is easy to plant and which I love to eat. Yes you guessed it right, kangkong and bayam again. <br />A few beds were made and planted. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7feImqCyH8/T_khWQjytCI/AAAAAAAAJlw/tCvy_F1wbz0/s1600/asal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7feImqCyH8/T_khWQjytCI/AAAAAAAAJlw/tCvy_F1wbz0/s320/asal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The initial two beds of kangkong (ipomea aquatic) and bayam merah or red spinach (Amaranthus gangeticus). All the beds were four feet wide at the base and 9 inches high with varying lengths.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xci3_oLiN_4/T_kfM_oeh2I/AAAAAAAAJlE/BbvXfN93iN0/s1600/water+source.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xci3_oLiN_4/T_kfM_oeh2I/AAAAAAAAJlE/BbvXfN93iN0/s320/water+source.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;A simple shallow well was dug to provide the water. Since the land is close to an irrigation canal, the seepage from it kept the water table high. Should the well dry up when the canal is not functioning during the rice harvesting season, I will have to water the plants using water from my tap.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gr7NsK63k3E/T_kfDsd354I/AAAAAAAAJk0/HMc1eewyGfs/s1600/tambah+kawasan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gr7NsK63k3E/T_kfDsd354I/AAAAAAAAJk0/HMc1eewyGfs/s320/tambah+kawasan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Another bed was added to accomodate the exess seedlings that needed to be thinned once the seeds germinated. The cangkul was all the tool I need to cultivate the soil. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7G4BG7EKeQ/T_keXhp8JVI/AAAAAAAAJjk/tmYpGSel3q4/s1600/luasapril.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7G4BG7EKeQ/T_keXhp8JVI/AAAAAAAAJjk/tmYpGSel3q4/s320/luasapril.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />More beds were created and by now I have added the ubi setelo or keledek or sweet potatoes (ipomea batatas), ubi kayu (manihot sativus) and serai or lemongrass (cymbopogon) to the list of plants found in my vegetable plot.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fBSGhzxKpHM/T_keKfKZA6I/AAAAAAAAJjI/4rHrWYEeNbg/s1600/kangkong.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fBSGhzxKpHM/T_keKfKZA6I/AAAAAAAAJjI/4rHrWYEeNbg/s320/kangkong.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The kangkong was easy to plant but somehow the red spinach failed me and I had it replaced with sawi or choy sam to the Chinese.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jzPZ9uCvDbs/T_kfQffM8nI/AAAAAAAAJlM/g6MCV5_qwM0/s1600/young+kangkong.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jzPZ9uCvDbs/T_kfQffM8nI/AAAAAAAAJlM/g6MCV5_qwM0/s320/young+kangkong.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Young kangkong plants will taste great especially if it is fried with belacan. I prefer it in soup with rice noodles garnished with a rich dose of fresh prawns.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yn-UN9RqXwA/T_ke2F33PvI/AAAAAAAAJkc/sBIYSf5WRpo/s1600/sawi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yn-UN9RqXwA/T_ke2F33PvI/AAAAAAAAJkc/sBIYSf5WRpo/s320/sawi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The sawi (Brassica sp.) or choy sam to the Chinese isn't our favorite vegetable and after the first crop, I stopped planting it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fBSGhzxKpHM/T_keKfKZA6I/AAAAAAAAJjI/4rHrWYEeNbg/s1600/kangkong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-buV_W2XmVYU/T_keTTIcRPI/AAAAAAAAJjc/6hM3ufV96Po/s1600/keledekapril.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-buV_W2XmVYU/T_keTTIcRPI/AAAAAAAAJjc/6hM3ufV96Po/s320/keledekapril.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My first bed of sweet potatoes and beside it the newly planted tapioca bed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDXha3QwroE/T_keGGAGlvI/AAAAAAAAJjA/9nQwGw3EiZQ/s1600/jagong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDXha3QwroE/T_keGGAGlvI/AAAAAAAAJjA/9nQwGw3EiZQ/s320/jagong.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The maize plot is growing very well. Soon I will have them boiled.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KaOaDcHs57w/T_khfBzbz-I/AAAAAAAAJmA/lc5aZW83IIM/s1600/byapril.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KaOaDcHs57w/T_khfBzbz-I/AAAAAAAAJmA/lc5aZW83IIM/s320/byapril.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The plot is enlarging.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w5gCBHnI3Q0/T_khR8-xhjI/AAAAAAAAJlo/33pKmCpQWQc/s1600/alat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ArMASwInPn4/T_keuJbbqmI/AAAAAAAAJkM/1J3CobKxcOI/s1600/red+amaranthus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ArMASwInPn4/T_keuJbbqmI/AAAAAAAAJkM/1J3CobKxcOI/s320/red+amaranthus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Where I threw my previous crop of red spinach, a new crop emerges. What luck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w5gCBHnI3Q0/T_khR8-xhjI/AAAAAAAAJlo/33pKmCpQWQc/s1600/alat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w5gCBHnI3Q0/T_khR8-xhjI/AAAAAAAAJlo/33pKmCpQWQc/s320/alat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My gardening tools with my gardening shoes.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w5gCBHnI3Q0/T_khR8-xhjI/AAAAAAAAJlo/33pKmCpQWQc/s1600/alat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UUilKo8kNDM/T_kePRn7SFI/AAAAAAAAJjQ/PIEXM7_HtAI/s1600/keledek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UUilKo8kNDM/T_kePRn7SFI/AAAAAAAAJjQ/PIEXM7_HtAI/s320/keledek.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My sweet potato is nearing maturity after 3 months.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UyELjpJu4Ks/T_qcdeaT06I/AAAAAAAAJmw/Dhg_RyP567g/s1600/gali+ubi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UyELjpJu4Ks/T_qcdeaT06I/AAAAAAAAJmw/Dhg_RyP567g/s320/gali+ubi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The exposed tubers after some digging.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-StOyjIJkhno/T_qci5cORoI/AAAAAAAAJm4/4OKWBGTOli0/s1600/total+hvst.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-StOyjIJkhno/T_qci5cORoI/AAAAAAAAJm4/4OKWBGTOli0/s320/total+hvst.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The harvest from the first bed of keledek. Though not much, the nearest neighbors will get them too.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MO3uQ4twbXk/T_keyU5bvwI/AAAAAAAAJkU/mD6nj1uRc-E/s1600/rumah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MO3uQ4twbXk/T_keyU5bvwI/AAAAAAAAJkU/mD6nj1uRc-E/s320/rumah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The proximity of the vegetable plot to my house made it possible for me to tend to the plants daily.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VvOs-eg33IQ/T_kha_AfudI/AAAAAAAAJl4/WlafdjH0GhA/s1600/bloated+me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VvOs-eg33IQ/T_kha_AfudI/AAAAAAAAJl4/WlafdjH0GhA/s320/bloated+me.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />With enough exercise working on the plot, I am eating well and putting on weight. I am looking forward to Ramadhan and hopefully a month of fasting will help to shed off some fat. The produce from the plot will be shared with the neighbors some especially those that suppled me with seeds and manure. It will be payback time and thank you Allah for allowing me to gain some <i>pahala sedekah</i>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div>http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2012/07/enjoy-fresh-vegetables-by-planting-your.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-6382642439499365955Thu, 21 Jun 2012 08:32:00 +00002012-06-21T16:32:02.467+08:00DIY And Save Yourself Some MoneyWhen my daughter in law Noralyani wanted to prepare a concrete working area at the back of her house covering an area of approximately 100 sq.ft., she was quoted at RM3,600 for the job. She felt that the amount was too much as it would only be a temporary feature as one day she may want to extend the kitchen as being done by her two immediate neighbours. After discussing with her husband, they decided to enlist my help since I was coming to Kuala Lumpur for my 40th &nbsp;Year Reunion Dinner with my classmates, The Class of '72 College of Agriculture Malaya. on the 16th of June. I had a few days to spare before I leave for home on the evening of the 19th of June.<br />Having told Yani to order some sand and cement and a few tools such as the spades and a piece of 4 mm plywood for the job, I came to KL bringing along along from home some of the required tools such as the cement trowels and whatever else I could carry in my bag.<br />To help me with the job, I had roped in my son in law Ridzuan who happened to be home for the weekend.<br />The work area measuring 10 ft by 13 ft need no earth cutting as the highest end is at the right height and only the lower end needed to be filled in. A low brick wall was laid on the lower slope using cement bricks. Then sand was used to fill in to the desired level.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9eCGrEC5jTs/T-LL06NmmWI/AAAAAAAAJiI/WrY16p5U18E/s1600/Irsyad+kerja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9eCGrEC5jTs/T-LL06NmmWI/AAAAAAAAJiI/WrY16p5U18E/s320/Irsyad+kerja.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ridwan helping to fill the area with sand while grandson pretended to work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Work was continued the next day. Some manual compaction was done to prevent sink holes from developing. When that was done a lean cement mixture was laid and leveled so that water will flow towards one corner nearest to the drain hole.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The day ended with Ridzuan asking to be excused for the next day as he needed to rest his aching body on Monday to be ready for work on Tuesday. (Monday was a holiday for Israk Mekraj in Negeri Sembilan where he works).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was in a fix as I need to lay another layer of cement rich concrete before I can consider the cement rendered surface done. I didn't have anybody to assist me on Monday and doing the job alone could be too much for my 62 years old body. Suddenly Yani volunteered to assist me saying that she was eager to learn a thing or two on how to do the job.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yani helped to carry the sand from the front of the house to the back using a wheel barrow, making the dry mix, later mixing the cement/sand mixture with water added. &nbsp;When we were laying the final layer, she even volunteered to do the back breaking job of the final plaster and finishing stroke to bring the surface to a shine. Wow! That saved me a lot of backache.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That night Yani offered to take me for a massage so that I will recuperate fully before my trip back to Pasir Mas. I declined the offer as I know my body could repair itself and thus saved the money for other things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9eCGrEC5jTs/T-LL06NmmWI/AAAAAAAAJiI/WrY16p5U18E/s1600/Irsyad+kerja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mvdT9sPnS8/T-LL967-5yI/AAAAAAAAJiQ/ylYzNm2VgR0/s1600/my+helper2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mvdT9sPnS8/T-LL967-5yI/AAAAAAAAJiQ/ylYzNm2VgR0/s320/my+helper2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Who says menial jobs are for men only? My daughter in law proved that women can do it too and even first timers can DIY (Do It Yourself) if you are willing to try.<br />All in all we spent less than RM600 for the purchase of the following items:<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;3 cu. yds of sand.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;4 bags of portland cement.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;100 cement bricks for the retaining wall and sink stand.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1 length of half inch diameter PVC pipe and pipe fittings.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1 faucet<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1 second hand stainless steel sink.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1 roll of brick mat which I forgot to use.<br /><br />With a saving of RM3,000, don't you think DIY is worth a try? The reward is numerous among which you learn how to do things new to you. You also learn to appreciate how tough it is for those who do such work for a living. The biggest reward is of course proving that you too can do it if you set your mind to it.<br />During difficult times, saving a few thousand ringgit is definitely good for the family.<br />&nbsp;<br /><br />http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2012/06/diy-and-save-yourself-some-money.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-8034902828495931135Fri, 15 Jun 2012 01:06:00 +00002012-06-15T09:06:56.243+08:00My Life's JourneyMy Life's Journey - The First Train Ride.&nbsp;Taking the Express train ride from Pasir Mas to Kuala Lumpur today is reliving the day I took my first train ride out of Kelantan some forty three years ago at the College of Agriculture Malaya, Serdang, Selangor. I will be on my way to a gathering of my classmates who did their Diploma of Agriculture course from 1969 to 1972. It will be our 40th anniversary since we graduated in 1972. The only difference now is that the express train now leaves the Pasir Mas station at 7.15 PM instead of 10.00 AM it used to do in those days. The train will arrive&nbsp; at KL Sentral instead of the majestic old KL Railway station but arrive at about the same time around 8.00 AM, meaning the journey of old took almost 21 hours compared to 13 hours nowadays. Another significant difference is that the coaches are now air conditioned and the seats are individual&nbsp; and comfortably upholstered seats unlike the long bench with bare wood. The Pasir Mas railway station itself has undergone tremendous transformation. The old wooden building is long gone due to lack of maintenance and severe termite attack. The platform is as long as the express train length and waiting passengers have shelter from the sun and rain all along the platform. The other difference today is that I am taking the sleeping berth instead of the third class sitting coach. In those days they will let you ride the train even if you have to stand all the way from the point of embarkation to your destination as long as you have a ticket.<br />&nbsp;Back to that day forty three years ago, just imagine a nineteen year old boy from the village soon after finishing school setting his foot out of Kelantan for the first time. A whole new world was opening up to me. I was on my way to study at the College of Agriculture Malaya located in Serdang, Selangor, a place I can't even imagine how it looks. The only place that I have ever set foot outside of Kelantan was a trip to Sungai Golok in the south of Thailand with my classmates from Rantau Panjang who considered the town as an extension of his town of Rantau Panjang. We were innocent kids then and didn't have much money to spend on anything beside buying a piece of underwear.<br />It was a Saturday forty three years ago that I took the express train from Pasir Mas to Kuala Lumpur. To the local the express train is known as the Mail train. Maybe it was used to carry mails back then. I can remember clearly that it was a Saturday in June 1969 but I could not recall the exact date. The black Monday of 13th may 1969 was slightly a month away and everyone in the family and even in the village was apprehensive that I should embark on a journey to Kuala Lumpur which was the epicenter of the riot of May 13th.<br />The train station was crowded with well wishers sending their loved ones away. I couldn't remember having any member of my family sending me off as on that day as my village being 10 miles away from the station would have cost some money for any of them to travel too. The bus fare for an adult was 50 sen and a ringgit saved for a return journey could be put to better use. For the journey to Kuala Lumpur I had seventy ringgit on me which was a big amount in those day. That was all the family could give me including monetary gifts from well wishers in the village. I remember another friend had his RM100 sewn into his underwear for safety. The fact that there wasn't anybody from the family to send me off didn't bother me as my sweet heart who is now my wife of 39 years and going, was there to see me off.<br />I had been staying away from home since the age of seven when I began schooling in another village called Kangkong, five miles away with my grandparents. After completing standard four and passing a special exam I was enrolled in a special Malay Class in Pasir Mas at the age of eleven to prepare us to join the standard six of an English Primary school. Upon the advice of my older half brother, my parents had agreed that I should get an English education for a better chance in life. I often wonder how uneducated village folks like my parents could be so forward looking compared to our leaders of today in developing an education policy that would benefit the people. How I wish my children could have the same education that I had to prepare them for their life.<br />To be continued...<br />Notes: Some photos will be added later.http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-lifes-journey-first-train-ride.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-2849224706755124573Sat, 09 Jun 2012 02:14:00 +00002012-06-09T10:14:45.053+08:00Festivals In KelantanKelantan International Kite Festival 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7uuSOoqMZw/T9KZzWP28AI/AAAAAAAAJhg/r8dCuoWceHM/s1600/pestawau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7uuSOoqMZw/T9KZzWP28AI/AAAAAAAAJhg/r8dCuoWceHM/s320/pestawau.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;The 30th edition of Pesta Wau Antarabangsa Kelantan (Kelantan International Kite Festival) was held from 5th - 9th June 2012 at Pantai Geting, Tumpat. Since it it was held during the school holidays and was part of the Visit Kelantan Year 2012 calendar of events, it attracted a sizable crowd.<br />Events detail is as per the picture below. Both pictures were taken from <a href="http://cutikelantan.com/">cutikelantan.com</a>. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vRiDp2whGX8/T9KZ4Y0l14I/AAAAAAAAJho/OEFFFEu6DHY/s1600/pestawau_acara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vRiDp2whGX8/T9KZ4Y0l14I/AAAAAAAAJho/OEFFFEu6DHY/s320/pestawau_acara.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>I have missed all the 29 events held earlier due to several reasons among which are my not being in Kelantan when the event was held, lack of interest and initiative, lack of ability to remember the date of the event or lack of publicity about the event. All of these made me regret for not attending the yearly event which has gained international stature.<br />It was upon the insistence of the other half that made me go to the event after the Friday prayers. Given my choice I would have opted to go to slumberland to catch up on much needed sleep staying awake watching the live coverage of The French Open.<br />&nbsp;Despite the lack of direction signages leading to the events side, the sight of the flying kites showed us the general direction of where to go. By following the direction taken by the other cars heading the same way, we reached the site at Pantai Geting.<br />The weather at the time of arrival was cloudy and windy, a perfect condition for both participants and visitors. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvC0Monnz8w/T9KWWrFkyJI/AAAAAAAAJe4/h9nDQetXvP4/s1600/from+far.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvC0Monnz8w/T9KWWrFkyJI/AAAAAAAAJe4/h9nDQetXvP4/s320/from+far.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Kites flying from the junction leading to Pengkalan Kubur to the left.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTZp5eDtIu0/T9KWO1jPGKI/AAAAAAAAJec/igB3SAoz4y8/s1600/closer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTZp5eDtIu0/T9KWO1jPGKI/AAAAAAAAJec/igB3SAoz4y8/s320/closer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The flying kites as seen when we get nearer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_duQJ5T6XAA/T9KV4aKjQqI/AAAAAAAAJeE/5ZZqGqwHwD0/s1600/at+the+site.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_duQJ5T6XAA/T9KV4aKjQqI/AAAAAAAAJeE/5ZZqGqwHwD0/s320/at+the+site.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We finally reached the site and I was lucky to find a place to park not far from the site.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OkBaIEaGalM/T9KYc_g2fvI/AAAAAAAAJhU/G2jmd4FZwlc/s1600/wife.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OkBaIEaGalM/T9KYc_g2fvI/AAAAAAAAJhU/G2jmd4FZwlc/s320/wife.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">One for the album of my wife Fatthiyah.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2ogexx48PM/T9KXynlwjlI/AAAAAAAAJfA/o2D5EeaJMEk/s1600/Macam+macam+wau.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2ogexx48PM/T9KXynlwjlI/AAAAAAAAJfA/o2D5EeaJMEk/s320/Macam+macam+wau.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvGUsXlK8x0/T9KWRQG2C1I/AAAAAAAAJek/tGRvhFf5ljs/s1600/even+closer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvGUsXlK8x0/T9KWRQG2C1I/AAAAAAAAJek/tGRvhFf5ljs/s320/even+closer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xI7YkM3uD1E/T9KYKxeV3lI/AAAAAAAAJgI/LStGKC4PE2g/s1600/wau+O.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xI7YkM3uD1E/T9KYKxeV3lI/AAAAAAAAJgI/LStGKC4PE2g/s320/wau+O.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJiTCsX8PmE/T9KYNHUpAsI/AAAAAAAAJgQ/Idf2ijryrns/s1600/wau+bulat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJiTCsX8PmE/T9KYNHUpAsI/AAAAAAAAJgQ/Idf2ijryrns/s320/wau+bulat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTZc54kJGmQ/T9KYPzMVfyI/AAAAAAAAJgc/7edPYasUnvA/s1600/wau+halus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTZc54kJGmQ/T9KYPzMVfyI/AAAAAAAAJgc/7edPYasUnvA/s320/wau+halus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_A6Red2R5w/T9KYRuqtoOI/AAAAAAAAJgk/N6Xp6ZK4AnY/s1600/wau+ike.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_A6Red2R5w/T9KYRuqtoOI/AAAAAAAAJgk/N6Xp6ZK4AnY/s320/wau+ike.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz_canjtqWQ/T9KYTQlRElI/AAAAAAAAJgs/MssDsRrf76Q/s1600/wau+jellyfish.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz_canjtqWQ/T9KYTQlRElI/AAAAAAAAJgs/MssDsRrf76Q/s320/wau+jellyfish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MN5HjKylEeU/T9KYUz-IQUI/AAAAAAAAJg0/J-KaV2y2PLk/s1600/wau+kamera.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MN5HjKylEeU/T9KYUz-IQUI/AAAAAAAAJg0/J-KaV2y2PLk/s320/wau+kamera.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKdfhAShjd8/T9KYaun378I/AAAAAAAAJhM/nyv-jnbZl_o/s1600/wau+rimau.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKdfhAShjd8/T9KYaun378I/AAAAAAAAJhM/nyv-jnbZl_o/s320/wau+rimau.jpg" width="320" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All sort of kites in various shape and sizes were flown including the local wau which I didn't manage to photograph as not many were being flown then or if they were flown, they would be too high up in the sky and becomes too small to photograph. So just enjoy what I have to show. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RO6dHCBN0Bo/T9KYYSQ9MqI/AAAAAAAAJhE/VjpJtAsJXYY/s1600/wau+monyet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RO6dHCBN0Bo/T9KYYSQ9MqI/AAAAAAAAJhE/VjpJtAsJXYY/s320/wau+monyet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The Monkey Kite as the owners call it is flying high.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SG_YqDVOxj0/T9KWUOSQvUI/AAAAAAAAJew/PO8obTw-10s/s1600/from+India.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SG_YqDVOxj0/T9KWUOSQvUI/AAAAAAAAJew/PO8obTw-10s/s320/from+India.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The persons flying the kites are international participants from India. Here they are. Unfortunately I couldn't remember their names.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vUDMM0985Ts/T9KX3IIedCI/AAAAAAAAJfQ/qUPAD2K7sdg/s1600/Pesta+Wau+Kelantan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vUDMM0985Ts/T9KX3IIedCI/AAAAAAAAJfQ/qUPAD2K7sdg/s320/Pesta+Wau+Kelantan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;All participants were given commemorative T-Shirts of the event to wear. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9P4mIUJnB_4/T9KX09G9sSI/AAAAAAAAJfI/TSdfUmwLQ-s/s1600/Main+Wau.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9P4mIUJnB_4/T9KX09G9sSI/AAAAAAAAJfI/TSdfUmwLQ-s/s320/Main+Wau.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;Helmut Georgi from Vienna, Austria allowed me to handle his kite. This is the third time Helmut participated in the Kelantan International Kite festival.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMahsDWIyZE/T9KVzq-O4dI/AAAAAAAAJd0/thpD7-OB2bs/s1600/Andreas+kites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMahsDWIyZE/T9KVzq-O4dI/AAAAAAAAJd0/thpD7-OB2bs/s320/Andreas+kites.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp; This stack of six kites attracted my attention. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lEDDPv_f_q4/T9KV14I43DI/AAAAAAAAJd8/UtEC0E7tBPA/s1600/Andreas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lEDDPv_f_q4/T9KV14I43DI/AAAAAAAAJd8/UtEC0E7tBPA/s320/Andreas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/andreas.fischbacher.71" target="_blank">Andreas Fischbacher</a> from Germany is the proud owner of&nbsp; the stack of kites. The pull from the kite was so hard that they had to be tied to a parked tractor to hold them in place. later Andreas did a stunt by trying to hang on to the kite lines which brought him down to the soft sands. <br />Suddenly the sky open up and rain came to spoil the show. All the participants pulled down their kites. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLgS35i3Xqk/T9KYDTkd4SI/AAAAAAAAJfw/Bbe9TrxiS9c/s1600/remote+cam.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLgS35i3Xqk/T9KYDTkd4SI/AAAAAAAAJfw/Bbe9TrxiS9c/s320/remote+cam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;This German guy was anxious as he had a camera attached to his kite taking aerial shots with his remote control.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQKMlAI8hJk/T9KWKsKKmnI/AAAAAAAAJeM/4HNdOm45XA0/s1600/canon+camera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQKMlAI8hJk/T9KWKsKKmnI/AAAAAAAAJeM/4HNdOm45XA0/s320/canon+camera.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Here he was seen showing his wonderful shots to his local assistant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-83tX0sLHK4w/T9KYGqsrXNI/AAAAAAAAJf4/1ras73y3qbM/s1600/remote+controller.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-83tX0sLHK4w/T9KYGqsrXNI/AAAAAAAAJf4/1ras73y3qbM/s320/remote+controller.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The remote control he used to shoot or tilt the camera with the camera attached to his kite.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7DNn4thNxo/T9KYWlc233I/AAAAAAAAJg8/RVmAX7Xd5bU/s1600/wau+kucing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7DNn4thNxo/T9KYWlc233I/AAAAAAAAJg8/RVmAX7Xd5bU/s320/wau+kucing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The stack of fish, cat and whatever belonging to Andreas had to come down too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HE4s5YouEJg/T9KWMz9xKjI/AAAAAAAAJeU/BUK3xNNOPVY/s1600/cat+is+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HE4s5YouEJg/T9KWMz9xKjI/AAAAAAAAJeU/BUK3xNNOPVY/s320/cat+is+down.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Down on the ground. Drying them up is a priority now. It would not be a problem if the hot sun is up. But will the sun comes up since it was evening and the rain is yet to stop.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hzez6uie8UU/T9KYJC-rhfI/AAAAAAAAJgA/omE22HJyraI/s1600/tiger+is+down.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hzez6uie8UU/T9KYJC-rhfI/AAAAAAAAJgA/omE22HJyraI/s320/tiger+is+down.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xI7YkM3uD1E/T9KYKxeV3lI/AAAAAAAAJgI/LStGKC4PE2g/s1600/wau+O.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTZp5eDtIu0/T9KWO1jPGKI/AAAAAAAAJec/igB3SAoz4y8/s1600/closer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;The proud tiger kite and his puffer fish kite is down too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SG_YqDVOxj0/T9KWUOSQvUI/AAAAAAAAJew/PO8obTw-10s/s1600/from+India.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvC0Monnz8w/T9KWWrFkyJI/AAAAAAAAJe4/h9nDQetXvP4/s1600/from+far.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2ogexx48PM/T9KXynlwjlI/AAAAAAAAJfA/o2D5EeaJMEk/s1600/Macam+macam+wau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FWEEZdgDc_4/T9KYAa_gLOI/AAAAAAAAJfo/9oURnOXWQxQ/s1600/monkey+with+owner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FWEEZdgDc_4/T9KYAa_gLOI/AAAAAAAAJfo/9oURnOXWQxQ/s320/monkey+with+owner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;The monkey kite is safely down under the tent under the watchful eyes of the owner.</div>Since the rain subsided, we decided to go home. The way out was jammed tight. How I wish the organizer would place traffic marshals to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. Given the mentality of some of these drivers, which can be as low as the toilet, many started to jump queue. It it took was for one person to do it and many more would follow suit. It took us almost an hour to get out of the jam over a distance of about a kilometer. Come next year's Kelantan International Kite Festival, I will know what to prepare, have a rain coat ready in case it rains.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OkBaIEaGalM/T9KYc_g2fvI/AAAAAAAAJhU/G2jmd4FZwlc/s1600/wife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br />http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2012/06/kelantan-international-kite-festival.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)4Jalan Stesen, 16200 Tumpat, Kelantan, Malaysia6.195073 102.1657366.068786 102.0078075 6.3213599999999994 102.32366449999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-1220146808902246559Tue, 05 Jun 2012 09:09:00 +00002012-06-05T22:25:19.938+08:00Eastern Europe TourPrague, Czech Republic<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague" target="_blank">&nbsp;Prague </a>or Praha as the locals call it is the capital of The Czech Republic. It is the largest city in the Republic and is home to 1.3 million people.<br />Our tour of Prague began in the morning and the local guide for today was Veronica who spoke fluent English. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2i_tuv67JwA/T82RXHsxfZI/AAAAAAAAJYg/yN6mdVCg2Nw/s1600/Veronica.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2i_tuv67JwA/T82RXHsxfZI/AAAAAAAAJYg/yN6mdVCg2Nw/s400/Veronica.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;The day's tour started with a short walk to the tram station not far from our hotel. Each of us were given a ticket and we had to verify the ticket on the tram via a ticketing machine. Since the ticket was only valid for half an hour after verification, it would only be a one way ticket to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague_Castle" target="_blank">Prague Castle</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ifc8aT5pauo/T82SiMwSlZI/AAAAAAAAJbs/MEQ-HBqzt-I/s1600/tram+ride.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ifc8aT5pauo/T82SiMwSlZI/AAAAAAAAJbs/MEQ-HBqzt-I/s400/tram+ride.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />&nbsp;Riding the tram.<br />It was standing room only but since it was just a short ride, we didn't mind it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m6BFtlFEkXg/T82Q-9QZVKI/AAAAAAAAJXU/_qfX5gr6Eoo/s1600/Final+instruction.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m6BFtlFEkXg/T82Q-9QZVKI/AAAAAAAAJXU/_qfX5gr6Eoo/s400/Final+instruction.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />&nbsp;Veronica gave us a short briefing before we entered the castle.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ALOLPsQ5Tg8/T82RlZCjvJI/AAAAAAAAJZI/oaR6mox62xY/s1600/first+courtyard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ALOLPsQ5Tg8/T82RlZCjvJI/AAAAAAAAJZI/oaR6mox62xY/s400/first+courtyard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;The first square inside the castle.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1M_0IwQudsk/T82RgdH1jmI/AAAAAAAAJY4/yxXjGJKYqRM/s1600/change+of+the+guards.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1M_0IwQudsk/T82RgdH1jmI/AAAAAAAAJY4/yxXjGJKYqRM/s400/change+of+the+guards.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />&nbsp;The changing of the guards happened every hour. We managed to get choice location for a view of the changing of the guards. It was a show that never failed to draw the crowd.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSeEBbnivI4/T82RobeJ8oI/AAAAAAAAJZQ/Bk8tqSAnjJ0/s1600/for+the+album.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSeEBbnivI4/T82RobeJ8oI/AAAAAAAAJZQ/Bk8tqSAnjJ0/s400/for+the+album.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-74P9pGnxVJM/T82Ru8hTUAI/AAAAAAAAJZg/QOHgkuB2kmA/s1600/guards.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-74P9pGnxVJM/T82Ru8hTUAI/AAAAAAAAJZg/QOHgkuB2kmA/s400/guards.jpg" width="400" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgHxR1eIsps/T82SPeTbOxI/AAAAAAAAJa8/uILENeFXY3o/s1600/state+flag.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgHxR1eIsps/T82SPeTbOxI/AAAAAAAAJa8/uILENeFXY3o/s320/state+flag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;When the state flag is flying, that indicates that The President is within the country.<br />&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R2SVeQuRRaU/T82SVpHWN7I/AAAAAAAAJbM/sOmCMerUbaU/s1600/the+cathedral.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R2SVeQuRRaU/T82SVpHWN7I/AAAAAAAAJbM/sOmCMerUbaU/s640/the+cathedral.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;The entrance to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Vitus_Cathedral" target="_blank">St Vitus Cathedral</a> with Azmi looking at the crowd.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7vRSIg3GdEs/T82RrzRGlsI/AAAAAAAAJZY/EkqtgQ5htW8/s1600/glass+windows.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7vRSIg3GdEs/T82RrzRGlsI/AAAAAAAAJZY/EkqtgQ5htW8/s400/glass+windows.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />&nbsp;The glass window from outside.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rg8rixslmKU/T82Su1knKqI/AAAAAAAAJcM/_5k1t1JJmMQ/s1600/window+fr+inside.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rg8rixslmKU/T82Su1knKqI/AAAAAAAAJcM/_5k1t1JJmMQ/s640/window+fr+inside.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br />&nbsp;The glass window from inside.<br />Visitors who wish to enter the main hall of the cathedral must pay an entrance fee, so we opted not to enter that part of it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ico1sAJvR8w/T82SH2WYaqI/AAAAAAAAJag/HynvOBmhL1I/s1600/resting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ico1sAJvR8w/T82SH2WYaqI/AAAAAAAAJag/HynvOBmhL1I/s400/resting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;Resting our old tired legs while waiting for the rest of the group to regroup.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pQhGimYFng/T82RUWYOCmI/AAAAAAAAJYY/_wkpwJkToyI/s1600/The+golden+lane.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pQhGimYFng/T82RUWYOCmI/AAAAAAAAJYY/_wkpwJkToyI/s400/The+golden+lane.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />&nbsp;Veronica briefed us on The Golden lane. The little lane near the Prague Castle is lined with small houses. The gold makers of Prague used to live there in the 15th century and later they house the servants of the palace. Some information of The Golden lane can be found <a href="http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Czech_Republic/Hlavni_Mesto_Praha/Prague-400455/Things_To_Do-Prague-Golden_Lane-BR-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9anqmsjrdK8/T82SbtfA42I/AAAAAAAAJbc/bNB0bh9u8Nw/s1600/the+girls+fav.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9anqmsjrdK8/T82SbtfA42I/AAAAAAAAJbc/bNB0bh9u8Nw/s400/the+girls+fav.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />&nbsp;At the end of one street we saw girls being photographed with a statue of a naked boy. Upon arrival I saw a girl being photographed while she was rubbing the appendage of the statue with her hand but I failed to capture her picture as I was struggling to take out my camera from my back pack. By the time I took out my camera, this pretty girl had taken her place.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MifHoXB5a3I/T82SKSz8qSI/AAAAAAAAJao/SsV8Ceb51l0/s1600/shiny+phallus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MifHoXB5a3I/T82SKSz8qSI/AAAAAAAAJao/SsV8Ceb51l0/s400/shiny+phallus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;She didn't seem to dare to do what the previous girl did and just place her hand near to the statues appendage. The frequent rubbing by girls who may feel mystified by the statues appendage or were seeking for some luck must have made the part shiny.<br />&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yyOYGsE9D_c/T82R-YPl-JI/AAAAAAAAJaI/T0N1-tAAUeo/s1600/musicians.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yyOYGsE9D_c/T82R-YPl-JI/AAAAAAAAJaI/T0N1-tAAUeo/s400/musicians.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;On the way out from the castle compound we saw these street performers playing music. The one in red T isn't a bagpipe blower and all he had was a big tummy to drum on.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KZqUT4nU_IU/T82RBVlBkII/AAAAAAAAJXc/Q7Y1X_1PFdU/s1600/Giovani+the+artist.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KZqUT4nU_IU/T82RBVlBkII/AAAAAAAAJXc/Q7Y1X_1PFdU/s400/Giovani+the+artist.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;On the way down the hill where the castle was located I saw this artist at work. He had only four tubes of acrylic paint with him, red, yellow, blue and white. From these four colours he created all the hues he needed.<br />&nbsp;<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7h6fze4hFnM/T82RESe8H5I/AAAAAAAAJXo/97yb2qJOJeA/s1600/Giovani%27s+works.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7h6fze4hFnM/T82RESe8H5I/AAAAAAAAJXo/97yb2qJOJeA/s640/Giovani%27s+works.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />&nbsp;These are some of his finished work being displayed for sale.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nt5bu-qh550/T82RGwu1ZmI/AAAAAAAAJXw/BEfiYDzz0Gs/s1600/Giovani.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nt5bu-qh550/T82RGwu1ZmI/AAAAAAAAJXw/BEfiYDzz0Gs/s400/Giovani.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;Giovani the painter obliged me and posed for a picture. An artist in the truest sense of the word, unlike this painter (me) who needed to buy all the colours of the rainbow before he could paint a picture.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hja9zQ2vZb0/T82RKXrXNxI/AAAAAAAAJX4/P2I5G6yaTSA/s1600/Pick+ur+choice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hja9zQ2vZb0/T82RKXrXNxI/AAAAAAAAJX4/P2I5G6yaTSA/s400/Pick+ur+choice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;If you are hungry after visiting the Castle, no worry, there is a place to tuck in.<br /><br />Below is a wine bistro with a view of Prague.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJkmmEuV3II/T82Q5cixFtI/AAAAAAAAJXE/ZYQDi0ObKHA/s1600/Bistro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJkmmEuV3II/T82Q5cixFtI/AAAAAAAAJXE/ZYQDi0ObKHA/s400/Bistro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l2ubowM7mXY/T82RM9jwvZI/AAAAAAAAJYA/rdeN00DKNzQ/s1600/Prague.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l2ubowM7mXY/T82RM9jwvZI/AAAAAAAAJYA/rdeN00DKNzQ/s400/Prague.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;Views from the bistro.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; From The Prague Castle we walked to The Senate building via a garden with a pool well stocked with fish.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeDRqV82IB8/T82R1Kj6mRI/AAAAAAAAJZw/Ll8jLgnJhSA/s1600/manicured+garden.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeDRqV82IB8/T82R1Kj6mRI/AAAAAAAAJZw/Ll8jLgnJhSA/s400/manicured+garden.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9anqmsjrdK8/T82SbtfA42I/AAAAAAAAJbc/bNB0bh9u8Nw/s1600/the+girls+fav.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Immaculate garden<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vr4Lky08QsY/T82RPtjx4eI/AAAAAAAAJYI/hk0P-mRrNaI/s1600/The+Senat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vr4Lky08QsY/T82RPtjx4eI/AAAAAAAAJYI/hk0P-mRrNaI/s400/The+Senat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;The senate building where announcements used to be made.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oKV-12SI8nE/T82RSLsOgbI/AAAAAAAAJYQ/Jd6xvBp43_U/s1600/The+ceiling.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oKV-12SI8nE/T82RSLsOgbI/AAAAAAAAJYQ/Jd6xvBp43_U/s400/The+ceiling.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The ceiling of the senate building is covered with paintings.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IGcawHg8Z8/T82SfPw7R4I/AAAAAAAAJbk/95cNuheDYms/s1600/tired.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IGcawHg8Z8/T82SfPw7R4I/AAAAAAAAJbk/95cNuheDYms/s400/tired.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The park benches were used to rest our tired old legs. We had our lunch here too.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1DTjZcxs8Q/T82SoKNQKiI/AAAAAAAAJb8/S6x3WFIfkqs/s1600/water+pump.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1DTjZcxs8Q/T82SoKNQKiI/AAAAAAAAJb8/S6x3WFIfkqs/s400/water+pump.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;On the way out we saw this water spout with a handle to pump the water out. Hidden behind me was a sign telling us not to push the lever up. it will revert to its own position after you have pulled it down.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OlPKaschBbs/T82u8pxBLwI/AAAAAAAAJdU/U0PMWGbK_1I/s1600/charles+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OlPKaschBbs/T82u8pxBLwI/AAAAAAAAJdU/U0PMWGbK_1I/s320/charles+bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We were walking towards <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Bridge" target="_blank">Charles Bridge</a> when my wife Fatthiyah turned around to see why I was lagging behind. The construction of Charles Bridge spanning across Ultava River in Prague began in 1357 under King Charles IV and was finished only in the early 15th Century. Until 1841, it was the only connection between the old town and Prague Castle. That was how important it was then.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D71OWezwaSw/T82SBcqfJ6I/AAAAAAAAJaQ/py_oTM2VwFI/s1600/potrait+artist.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D71OWezwaSw/T82SBcqfJ6I/AAAAAAAAJaQ/py_oTM2VwFI/s400/potrait+artist.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Many portrait painters and artist plied their trade on Charles Bridge. The pretty girl must be a hard act for the painter to put on paper.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-stuVtKI8IZc/T82SrlbsFVI/AAAAAAAAJcE/M3atqaS9R_Y/s1600/water+wheel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-stuVtKI8IZc/T82SrlbsFVI/AAAAAAAAJcE/M3atqaS9R_Y/s400/water+wheel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;Beside the bridge there is a water wheel. The guide told us that the wheel did not serve any purpose now other than being a tourist attraction. The channel that flows through here created this island on the left.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFDFxWsLRfQ/T82R4dU_WKI/AAAAAAAAJZ4/Ho1qkxSs98Q/s1600/movie+location.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFDFxWsLRfQ/T82R4dU_WKI/AAAAAAAAJZ4/Ho1qkxSs98Q/s400/movie+location.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />It was at this location on this island that a James bond movie (Casino Royale) was once shot. Malaysia has followed suit and managed to entice Shah Rukh Khan to shoot films to capitalize on his popularity and make famous the city the film was shot on location. For that he was given the coveted Datokship. Do you remember which film and which city Shah Rukh Khan made the film?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XyoODo4u6zQ/T82SSFu7lFI/AAAAAAAAJbE/0gAIbHmV6AE/s1600/street+musician+on+Charles+Bridge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XyoODo4u6zQ/T82SSFu7lFI/AAAAAAAAJbE/0gAIbHmV6AE/s400/street+musician+on+Charles+Bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;Beside painters there were musicians who made their living by performing on Charles Bridge. These trio rendered beautiful songs and many stopped by to listen to them. Patrons are encourage to donate into their donation box perched on a folding chair.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tv1EeFyRiI4/T82Ri2a1ItI/AAAAAAAAJZA/R14jdYLooXM/s1600/cruise+boat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tv1EeFyRiI4/T82Ri2a1ItI/AAAAAAAAJZA/R14jdYLooXM/s400/cruise+boat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;Cruise ships ply the Ultava River and the turning point is immediately after Charles Bridge. The weir placed across the river to raise the water level upstream will not allow the ships to negotiate further upstream.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FLpLJzyRMwQ/T82en-bckbI/AAAAAAAAJc0/BmN3h77dsGo/s1600/ice+breaker.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FLpLJzyRMwQ/T82en-bckbI/AAAAAAAAJc0/BmN3h77dsGo/s400/ice+breaker.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;Veronica alerted us to the wooden protruding right upstream of the pillars of the bridge. She asked us to guess what the structure is for. My answer was to prevent the pillars from being hit by floating debris to which she said that I was quite correct but the exact use was to prevent ice during the winter from hitting them. I forgot about ice as the weather at the time of the visit was pretty warm.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwuBmYxIBBk/T82RdaTh2NI/AAAAAAAAJYw/qI8T2091u78/s1600/beggar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwuBmYxIBBk/T82RdaTh2NI/AAAAAAAAJYw/qI8T2091u78/s400/beggar.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;Almost at the end of the bridge on the Old Town side we saw this man prostrating himself on the bridge's floor with a paper cup in the grip of his two hands. With such an able body, I don't know if there is anybody who will take pity and donate money for his next meal. What a way to beg for money.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zuMberIUVo/T82Q70ZkpMI/AAAAAAAAJXM/xqDUOMEUXKM/s1600/Bridge+gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zuMberIUVo/T82Q70ZkpMI/AAAAAAAAJXM/xqDUOMEUXKM/s400/Bridge+gate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This is the tower on the Old Town side.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HsiEkojuqV4/T82Radc5xgI/AAAAAAAAJYo/EKFiuNNR-QA/s1600/astro+clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HsiEkojuqV4/T82Radc5xgI/AAAAAAAAJYo/EKFiuNNR-QA/s640/astro+clock.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>&nbsp;After reaching the Old Town Square, Veronica briefed us on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague_Astronomical_Clock" target="_blank">The Astronomical Clock</a>. The clock was installed in 1410 and is the third oldest astronomical clock in the world but the oldest one still working. <br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The Orloj as it is named is mounted on the southern wall of<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Town,_Prague" style="background-image: none; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Old Town, Prague">Old Town</a><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>City Hall in the<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Town_Square" style="background-image: none; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: underline;" title="Old Town Square">Old Town Square. </a></span></span><br />Since it was still quite awhile before 4 PM when we would be witnessing it's chiming and the show of moving figures on the clock, Veronica asked us to take our own time and come back at 4 Pm to witness the event and afterwards she will take us for a another walking tour.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DI1KYBuPOag/T82R7tZoh-I/AAAAAAAAJaA/MqdUXWiYzlE/s1600/municipal+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1uvZF-mR69o/T82SNRzcXNI/AAAAAAAAJa0/_m8-ZVlKitE/s1600/souvenir+stalls.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1uvZF-mR69o/T82SNRzcXNI/AAAAAAAAJa0/_m8-ZVlKitE/s400/souvenir+stalls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Upon entering a side street my wife saw these stalls selling souvenirs. She had found paradise! We bought a replica of the astronomical clock.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fz9zZ6P9jbA/T82SEzp5TKI/AAAAAAAAJaY/6k9xaoiY8rc/s1600/replica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fz9zZ6P9jbA/T82SEzp5TKI/AAAAAAAAJaY/6k9xaoiY8rc/s400/replica.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We forgot the 4 PM appointment with veronica and decided to spend more time shopping. Later we met many others who decided not to go on playing tourist and head hone for the hotel instead. With the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Town_Square_%28Prague%29" target="_blank">Old Town Square</a> being just next to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wenceslas_Square" target="_blank">Wenceslas Square</a>, we know we are not far from home.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j08oqpFbwPY/T82cyhJounI/AAAAAAAAJcs/nxhmls7y50Y/s1600/antik+car.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1DTjZcxs8Q/T82SoKNQKiI/AAAAAAAAJb8/S6x3WFIfkqs/s1600/water+pump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6cc53OJ-kLw/T82RxebysfI/AAAAAAAAJZo/omN2ePVnC2Y/s1600/horse+drawn+carriage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6cc53OJ-kLw/T82RxebysfI/AAAAAAAAJZo/omN2ePVnC2Y/s400/horse+drawn+carriage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Seeing other tourists riding horse carriages or riding antique cars like the one below made me feel like doing the same to get back to the hotel with the tired feet not willing to go on walking the fairly short distance back to the hotel.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rg8rixslmKU/T82Su1knKqI/AAAAAAAAJcM/_5k1t1JJmMQ/s1600/window+fr+inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j08oqpFbwPY/T82cyhJounI/AAAAAAAAJcs/nxhmls7y50Y/s1600/antik+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j08oqpFbwPY/T82cyhJounI/AAAAAAAAJcs/nxhmls7y50Y/s400/antik+car.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2012/06/prague-czech-republic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-8382635435143324619Mon, 28 May 2012 05:17:00 +00002012-05-28T13:17:17.769+08:00Eastern Europe TourKarlovy Vary To Parague<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>&nbsp;The bus ride from Karlovy Vary to Prague the capital of Czech Republic is expected to be about less than 2 hours as the distance is only about 112 km as the crow flies to the east of Karlovy Vary. I found a window seat and keep looking for interesting sights to see and photograph.<br />Being an agrarian nation, we passed so many undulating fields covered with green meadows or yellow rapeseed fields interspersed with the occasional pine forest. The pine forest are harvested for their log on a sustainable basis. I won't be surprised if our country is devoid of our forest first before them as they are religiously preserving whatever forest that they have. Most of the European nations are doing that. Above all the forest is home to faunas such as wild deers which I open spotted grazing along the forest fringes. Ehere there are lakes or rivers, there will be wild ducks swimming around. I couldn't spot any fish though but after sighting some anglers trying their luck, I believe the fishes are there.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hm1CK2zTN8Y/T8LDUZVuhcI/AAAAAAAAJVM/i3o9UoD04yU/s1600/rapeseed+field.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hm1CK2zTN8Y/T8LDUZVuhcI/AAAAAAAAJVM/i3o9UoD04yU/s320/rapeseed+field.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;A field of yellow rapeseed used to produce the canola oil, a form of biodesel. Thanks to Mek Yam of new york who identified the plants for me.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kX_hc5nhM0o/T8LDCt0sztI/AAAAAAAAJUc/kknIvOR9jjc/s1600/hse+compound.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kX_hc5nhM0o/T8LDCt0sztI/AAAAAAAAJUc/kknIvOR9jjc/s320/hse+compound.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Occasonally we passed nearby small hamlets with the house compound planted with a few fruit trees which I believe them to be apple or pears and the likes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ms3puR3NyA/T8LDN477X0I/AAAAAAAAJU8/NtzWyzhGzeY/s1600/para.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ms3puR3NyA/T8LDN477X0I/AAAAAAAAJU8/NtzWyzhGzeY/s320/para.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; One field amazes me as they have wires suspended in a grid on poles. They are too high to be reached by hands and my guess is they are used to let creepers to flourish and provide enough shade for other plants planted on the ground. The height of the wires are high enough for the use of mechanical implements to be used under it. Anybody knows the exact use of this system in Europe?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gw90YZh4pXk/T8LDbsFTIxI/AAAAAAAAJVk/JZKLlKgWWd4/s1600/small+town.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gw90YZh4pXk/T8LDbsFTIxI/AAAAAAAAJVk/JZKLlKgWWd4/s320/small+town.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A slightly bigger hamlet. How I wish we could make a stop at one of these places to feel the pulse of the town.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mos3s0VWmCk/T8LDZXfCy-I/AAAAAAAAJVc/aLk5cpAIeys/s1600/small+hotel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mos3s0VWmCk/T8LDZXfCy-I/AAAAAAAAJVc/aLk5cpAIeys/s320/small+hotel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A small hotel in the small town.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7oNiPhX58Nw/T8LDWdDKoVI/AAAAAAAAJVU/-QqxNWzzFtU/s1600/rest+area.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7oNiPhX58Nw/T8LDWdDKoVI/AAAAAAAAJVU/-QqxNWzzFtU/s320/rest+area.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A R&amp;R is dotted along the highways. Just like those that are along highways, they are large enough for trucks and cars to be parked. Toilets are rarely free but they are very very clean. The fact that they don't use water to clean their bottom holes made it possible to maintain that level of cleanliness. Anyway they always clean them up so you won't feel the pinch when you pay 0.5 Euro (RM2.00) for each use.<br />Initially I was surprised as all along the way I never see the bus stop at any toll booth to pay for the use of the highway. They must be free, I thought. My inquisitive mind took the better of me and I asked Frank the bus driver. "Oh yes we paid toll. Did you realize the beeping whenever we passed under a certain gantry?" It seemed that the transponder is sounded every time the bus passed under one as the machine on the gantry deducted the amount due from the bus's prepaid card. The driver must buy a fresh card at the entrance of every country and he will be refunded at the exit to the country after returning the transponder at the border station. The tolls are not cheap either. Along the way a special van can check by remote control whether a vehicle has credit or not and the penalty is 1 thousand Euro should one be caught without any credit. Too high for anybody to dare try to evade paying toll. By using such a system, they avoid the need of setting up toll booths which may impede the flow of traffic and create bottle necks like they often do in Malaysia during the festive seasons. The system will also allow many exits to be available along the highways even to a small hamlet due to the saving from having an interchange. I wonder why Malaysia can't learn from them.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzANN3r97Dc/T8LDFendMNI/AAAAAAAAJUk/ZXvd-XhlVe0/s1600/lunch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzANN3r97Dc/T8LDFendMNI/AAAAAAAAJUk/ZXvd-XhlVe0/s320/lunch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We stopped at one of the R &amp; R for our lunch. Each of us or each family on the tour are told to bring our own food for lunch if do not want to buy lunch from the R &amp; R. This is a good way as we saved time as well as money as food in Europe are generally expensive. Be prepared to spend a minimum of 10 Euro (RM41) per meal. Furthermore it is not possible to buy halal food at the R &amp; R. Only those that sell Nordse (seafood) are believed to be halal. Being mostly health conscious lard is seldom used in Europe.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SxoxZigc1I8/T8LMmIOFI0I/AAAAAAAAJWs/S07QSuqB4_0/s1600/hotel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SxoxZigc1I8/T8LMmIOFI0I/AAAAAAAAJWs/S07QSuqB4_0/s320/hotel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We reached our hotel in the center of Prague with several hours of day light to spare. Hotel Downtown was located just a mere ten minutes walk to the Wencesslas Square in Prague. Some of us wanted to visit the square though the square is slated for tomorrow with local guide. Lin, the Tour Leader from POTO told us not to wonder around until late in the evening as safety is suspect in Prague. Well ain't it the same in KL?<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zk3h79uqrQI/T8LDkurPc3I/AAAAAAAAJV8/hoUeJZftFTI/s1600/street+outside+hotel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zk3h79uqrQI/T8LDkurPc3I/AAAAAAAAJV8/hoUeJZftFTI/s320/street+outside+hotel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Outside the hotel I checked for landmarks to ensure that we can find our way back to the hotel. The above picture is to the left of the hotel but since we were not going that way, I was not really bothered to look for any landmark. The important landmarks must be found on the right of the hotel.<br />What we saw across the road to the right is a shop called Erotic City. That I will surely remember and made a mental note to stop and check what is available in the store and perhaps learn a thing or two about the latest trend in Prague.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8lJiOUBzDvI/T8LMj3MqxTI/AAAAAAAAJWk/M9Xwl03qPBs/s1600/Erotic+city.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8lJiOUBzDvI/T8LMj3MqxTI/AAAAAAAAJWk/M9Xwl03qPBs/s320/Erotic+city.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Our group led by the tour leader from Malaysia crossed the road and turned right towards Wencesslas Square.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzsROKHKtQ8/T8LDn-BX9gI/AAAAAAAAJWE/Py392BtAARw/s1600/stretch+limo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzsROKHKtQ8/T8LDn-BX9gI/AAAAAAAAJWE/Py392BtAARw/s320/stretch+limo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A stretched limousine caught my sight. I bet this car could carry the whole 20 people from our group.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-F6TakjAh4/T8LDAjvX_2I/AAAAAAAAJUU/S6pEZFae780/s1600/buildings+along+the+square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-F6TakjAh4/T8LDAjvX_2I/AAAAAAAAJUU/S6pEZFae780/s320/buildings+along+the+square.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The building along the square are about the same height. No sky scrapers seems to dominate the skyline.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SoY4UevepaM/T8LDRiNaRdI/AAAAAAAAJVE/xEk-TqAgkvo/s1600/posing+for+a+shot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SoY4UevepaM/T8LDRiNaRdI/AAAAAAAAJVE/xEk-TqAgkvo/s320/posing+for+a+shot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A pretty face getting herself photographed with the pretty flowers with the square as the backdrop. I couldn't resist the temptation of stealing a shot.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9S4rAESxnE/T8LDIV0NIDI/AAAAAAAAJUs/8Y1DOKFxDhg/s1600/my+turn+to+pose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9S4rAESxnE/T8LDIV0NIDI/AAAAAAAAJUs/8Y1DOKFxDhg/s320/my+turn+to+pose.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now it is my turn to be photographed.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oE1svMXWe_s/T8LDLv_PqPI/AAAAAAAAJU0/11FpvZrSvJk/s1600/one+for+the+album.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oE1svMXWe_s/T8LDLv_PqPI/AAAAAAAAJU0/11FpvZrSvJk/s320/one+for+the+album.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One for the album with my wife.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ms3puR3NyA/T8LDN477X0I/AAAAAAAAJU8/NtzWyzhGzeY/s1600/para.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SoY4UevepaM/T8LDRiNaRdI/AAAAAAAAJVE/xEk-TqAgkvo/s1600/posing+for+a+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp; <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYnBeChX6d8/T8LDhkWZb1I/AAAAAAAAJV0/dLdu6SMyHHo/s1600/statue+at+sq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYnBeChX6d8/T8LDhkWZb1I/AAAAAAAAJV0/dLdu6SMyHHo/s320/statue+at+sq.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A statue at one end of the square.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8lJiOUBzDvI/T8LMj3MqxTI/AAAAAAAAJWk/M9Xwl03qPBs/s1600/Erotic+city.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SxoxZigc1I8/T8LMmIOFI0I/AAAAAAAAJWs/S07QSuqB4_0/s1600/hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NzhvhZCCPHU/T8LDehuVI2I/AAAAAAAAJVs/AfLZsY2Pw-0/s1600/souvenir+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NzhvhZCCPHU/T8LDehuVI2I/AAAAAAAAJVs/AfLZsY2Pw-0/s320/souvenir+shop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A souvenir shop near the square is the favorite spot for the other half to buy souvenirs. It was too hot inside the shop for me so I prefer to stay outside.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zk3h79uqrQI/T8LDkurPc3I/AAAAAAAAJV8/hoUeJZftFTI/s1600/street+outside+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zt69kc-og8Q/T8LDrGTA1sI/AAAAAAAAJWM/HmK09V1ScAw/s1600/trams+used+as+coffee+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zt69kc-og8Q/T8LDrGTA1sI/AAAAAAAAJWM/HmK09V1ScAw/s320/trams+used+as+coffee+shop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Old trams are used snack station at the square. It was a noble idea as the colorful trams add color to the place.<br />A guided tour of Prague will be the story in my next post. It is definitely a city that is worth visiting. Please stay tuned.http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2012/05/karlovy-vary-to-parague.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-2344688227154908748Mon, 07 May 2012 16:16:00 +00002012-05-28T13:18:13.915+08:00Eastern Europe TourKarlovy Vary the Spa City of Czech Republics<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-makrvEE-mNk/T6COeSAYKUI/AAAAAAAAJPM/zwioydNYmXY/s1600/Breakfast.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-makrvEE-mNk/T6COeSAYKUI/AAAAAAAAJPM/zwioydNYmXY/s320/Breakfast.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAEGucDy1-c/T6Cep9Gm14I/AAAAAAAAJUI/myFNlJSX4fI/s1600/the+ladies.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br />Today is actually the second day of our tour in Europe. We were up early for our Subuh prayers which is about 5 am local time which is about 11 am in Malaysia. Unfortunately breakfast is only possible at 7 am local time and having woke up at 5 am, there is no way I could go back to sleep. At the Derby hotel in Karlovy Vary, wifi connection is only available at the lobby area on the first floor. There is little that I can do before breakfast.<br /><br /><br /><br />Breakfast at the hotel is always an enjoyable meal. The breakfast spread is great in most of the hotel where we stayed. It will be good enough to supply the energy for the whole morning.<br />Immediately after breakfast we strolled around the hotel area. En. Baharom and his wife joined us. Having done the same on the evening before after arrival, I knew full well what to expect and to see.<br /><br />During the morning walkabout around the hotel area before leaving for the Spa City I saw these two police couple who were on their beat. They obliged our request for a photograph with them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XFHVctWBY2I/T6CRfpM6KRI/AAAAAAAAJRs/FBOaeGcEzMg/s1600/Police.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XFHVctWBY2I/T6CRfpM6KRI/AAAAAAAAJRs/FBOaeGcEzMg/s320/Police.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9E6yc7KxaCM/T6CRlErV-aI/AAAAAAAAJR0/I1YHLtz8oZY/s1600/pondan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9E6yc7KxaCM/T6CRlErV-aI/AAAAAAAAJR0/I1YHLtz8oZY/s320/pondan.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br />Further down the road we met these not so female persons in the midst of preparing their stall for the roadside sale. They were so happy to be photographed. They must have felt that I&nbsp; have failed to detect their true gender. Their protruding voice box on their throat and their voices were a dead giveaway.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SbJOxfvuZQw/T6COkDumAMI/AAAAAAAAJPU/rEiEUbutROs/s1600/clean+river.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SbJOxfvuZQw/T6COkDumAMI/AAAAAAAAJPU/rEiEUbutROs/s320/clean+river.jpg" width="320" /></a>&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Though the Spa City was just a twenty minutes ride by car from our hotel, the bus ride through the hilly and winding road took us through posh areas and crossing a very clean and beautiful river. This is the river that will pass through Spa City down river and later through the town of Karlovy Vary.</div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFS8V2j5pQU/T6CSawRx_vI/AAAAAAAAJS0/_K9CLLXryQE/s1600/wilod+ducks+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFS8V2j5pQU/T6CSawRx_vI/AAAAAAAAJS0/_K9CLLXryQE/s320/wilod+ducks+2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />&nbsp;Wild ducks seems to thrive on the river. If they were in Malaysia, they would become food on the table in no time. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yJjcYko8z-4/T6CQlOFe6iI/AAAAAAAAJQs/2qqU205b1jk/s1600/inside+shuttle+bus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yJjcYko8z-4/T6CQlOFe6iI/AAAAAAAAJQs/2qqU205b1jk/s320/inside+shuttle+bus.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Since buses are not allowed into Spa city, all the twenty of us had to be transported via a shuttle bus from the bus parking area. This is a good policy as congestion in the Spa city is avoided.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LHBeFkUa18/T6CSK7UWTlI/AAAAAAAAJSc/QbAgp--zROY/s1600/tour+guide.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LHBeFkUa18/T6CSK7UWTlI/AAAAAAAAJSc/QbAgp--zROY/s320/tour+guide.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Veronica was our local guide for Spa City in Karlovy Vary. Lin on her left was the tour leader from POTO Travel.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33uxwvDwcSk/T6COVXNzKPI/AAAAAAAAJO8/7MeGMs3dr4c/s1600/asking+question.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33uxwvDwcSk/T6COVXNzKPI/AAAAAAAAJO8/7MeGMs3dr4c/s320/asking+question.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Upon embarkation from the shuttle bus, Veronica started briefing us about the Spa City in Karlovy Vary. The Spa City was founded in the 14th century by King Charles IV. You can read more about it<a href="http://www.kvregion.cz/en/clanky/spa-city-of-karlovy-vary-33" target="_blank"> here</a>. Some better pictures <a href="http://forum.xcitefun.net/karlovy-vary-spa-city-of-czech-republic-t67154.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />As we walked to the various colonnades we came across many beautiful buildings housing shops and hotels. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p6yr9PwaXRo/T6CQ4-8m1II/AAAAAAAAJQ8/c74Qvxq7OsY/s1600/luxury+hotel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p6yr9PwaXRo/T6CQ4-8m1II/AAAAAAAAJQ8/c74Qvxq7OsY/s320/luxury+hotel.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Grandhotel Pupp is famous for it being the location for the filming of The James Bond film Casino Royale.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7sPyfWltRk/T6CQuYHQ-xI/AAAAAAAAJQ0/vPR-gsmQ2s4/s1600/Jaguar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7sPyfWltRk/T6CQuYHQ-xI/AAAAAAAAJQ0/vPR-gsmQ2s4/s320/Jaguar.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />These three Malaysian tourists didn't stay at the Grandhotel Pupp but just posed beside another guest's Jaguar.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ALAzm-svb_k/T6COpLFK7MI/AAAAAAAAJPc/AwwZtVhMJ2Q/s1600/crystals.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ALAzm-svb_k/T6COpLFK7MI/AAAAAAAAJPc/AwwZtVhMJ2Q/s320/crystals.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Shops selling Bohemian Crystal. If you ask for the price, that means you can't afford it. If you can afford it, just point at the items that you want and pay either cash or via credit cards.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0drxAJZ31NE/T6CRrJAGuMI/AAAAAAAAJR8/YrkjzAhy9Xs/s1600/porcelein.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0drxAJZ31NE/T6CRrJAGuMI/AAAAAAAAJR8/YrkjzAhy9Xs/s320/porcelein.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />&nbsp;A marvelous set of ceramic on display.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYJi7AzoCmM/T6Cc33LHCeI/AAAAAAAAJTw/StlbcLg_2Z4/s1600/most+expensive+hotel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYJi7AzoCmM/T6Cc33LHCeI/AAAAAAAAJTw/StlbcLg_2Z4/s320/most+expensive+hotel.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />This hotel is so posh and expensive that nobody stayed there. It belongs to a very rich Russian.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MtfTKUBMhO0/T6CdHkkRDKI/AAAAAAAAJUA/oJsrvDQUtR0/s1600/Hotel+Felix.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MtfTKUBMhO0/T6CdHkkRDKI/AAAAAAAAJUA/oJsrvDQUtR0/s320/Hotel+Felix.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />That is the name of the hotel and perhaps also the name of the owner, Felix Zawojski.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-me4dDhR3FOk/T6CcczUHyhI/AAAAAAAAJTg/epK4KfoT4K4/s1600/high+fashion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-me4dDhR3FOk/T6CcczUHyhI/AAAAAAAAJTg/epK4KfoT4K4/s320/high+fashion.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />The well dressed can be seen in Spa City walking on the street. How about these two below?<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d9WDSa3WD2Y/T6CdB5pvZSI/AAAAAAAAJT4/u1qh__IfEj0/s1600/nice+dress.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d9WDSa3WD2Y/T6CdB5pvZSI/AAAAAAAAJT4/u1qh__IfEj0/s320/nice+dress.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GuH9GO5xweg/T6COt-kJh7I/AAAAAAAAJPk/MaEesXbnt2Y/s1600/doing+good.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GuH9GO5xweg/T6COt-kJh7I/AAAAAAAAJPk/MaEesXbnt2Y/s320/doing+good.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Always eager to do a good deed, I helped this war veteran to push his wheel chair. Later we waited for our cup of coffee.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TVA0bB2T04Y/T6CcGyrednI/AAAAAAAAJTI/s8MuFO6btAQ/s1600/buddy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TVA0bB2T04Y/T6CcGyrednI/AAAAAAAAJTI/s8MuFO6btAQ/s320/buddy.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGztNvrT0N4/T6CPJLYfMeI/AAAAAAAAJP8/Tn33uH3bZX8/s1600/getting+ready+for+biz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGztNvrT0N4/T6CPJLYfMeI/AAAAAAAAJP8/Tn33uH3bZX8/s320/getting+ready+for+biz.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Along the road we saw workers washing the street before laying the tables when getting ready for business.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9N8G5VfWRM/T6CPhL3daGI/AAAAAAAAJQc/ti4FhHZk-mc/s1600/highet+flood+level.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9N8G5VfWRM/T6CPhL3daGI/AAAAAAAAJQc/ti4FhHZk-mc/s320/highet+flood+level.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Veronica showed us the highest flood level that had hit The Spa City. That was some flood and all tourists will be reminded of it. I forgot the year it happened. If you insist on knowing it, either you google for it or take this trip like I did.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAvedw3xUUI/T6CRaJuXLhI/AAAAAAAAJRk/Xqe3KiugNDw/s1600/playing+a+tune.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAvedw3xUUI/T6CRaJuXLhI/AAAAAAAAJRk/Xqe3KiugNDw/s320/playing+a+tune.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />These 9 pieces of metal plates produce a different tone when stepped on. It needed quite a jump to produce a note. A 62 years young Pak Zawi became tired after making several attempts at producing a tune. Personally I doubt it was melodious at all as I was tone deaf. Though I have a video of me doing the jumping, I was unable to upload it here.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CA54HX8Mf54/T6CSEqGomJI/AAAAAAAAJSU/S91Ak9-uE8U/s1600/The+name.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CA54HX8Mf54/T6CSEqGomJI/AAAAAAAAJSU/S91Ak9-uE8U/s320/The+name.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />That is the name of the gadget.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oQdD-32yZSc/T6CPas-9uvI/AAAAAAAAJQU/P7-FX3QaVSU/s1600/going+to+spa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oQdD-32yZSc/T6CPas-9uvI/AAAAAAAAJQU/P7-FX3QaVSU/s320/going+to+spa.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Finally our group reached the colonnade where we were supposed to do some water tasting.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cu0hxkuoago/T6CPo49XgiI/AAAAAAAAJQk/AJtUAoEBF5w/s1600/hot+steam.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cu0hxkuoago/T6CPo49XgiI/AAAAAAAAJQk/AJtUAoEBF5w/s320/hot+steam.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Steam seems to rise where the hot water surface in the river.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JDbf8YntzQo/T6CSO5KoGzI/AAAAAAAAJSk/IePJ8FLVSTA/s1600/water+tasting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JDbf8YntzQo/T6CSO5KoGzI/AAAAAAAAJSk/IePJ8FLVSTA/s320/water+tasting.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Tasting the water at the spa. The temperature of the water gets hotter as you go to the next spout. The last one is the hottest and at 72 degrees Celsius and you can't cup it with your hand to drink it. You need a special cup with a spout to drink it. The spout will ensure that the mineral contents&nbsp; of the water especially iron will not stain your teeth. In the 14th century, the army had to drink 11 liters of water daily to remain healthy. I bet their internal organs will be coated with iron oxide after a year of treatment. Different doses are recommended for different ailments.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iYGgh6Ea9dg/T6CPNwQaytI/AAAAAAAAJQE/3Kon9c2KsNk/s1600/geyser.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iYGgh6Ea9dg/T6CPNwQaytI/AAAAAAAAJQE/3Kon9c2KsNk/s320/geyser.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />A geyser in the building spurts hot water all day. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwN188kCEck/T6CR4j3vebI/AAAAAAAAJSM/-d7PtvI_qno/s1600/souvenirs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwN188kCEck/T6CR4j3vebI/AAAAAAAAJSM/-d7PtvI_qno/s320/souvenirs.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />You can buy your water tasting mugs at souvenir shops within and without the buildings. It is something to remember Karlovy Vary the Spa City by.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHWS4FIwSfE/T6CObBnk5_I/AAAAAAAAJPE/ovoFklafU_g/s1600/blow+glass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHWS4FIwSfE/T6CObBnk5_I/AAAAAAAAJPE/ovoFklafU_g/s320/blow+glass.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Wow!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NP5V1YeWLiI/T6CcPf8KrCI/AAAAAAAAJTQ/kx0nFHvOdco/s1600/First+Group+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NP5V1YeWLiI/T6CcPf8KrCI/AAAAAAAAJTQ/kx0nFHvOdco/s320/First+Group+photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A group photo upon exiting the spa.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAEGucDy1-c/T6Cep9Gm14I/AAAAAAAAJUI/myFNlJSX4fI/s1600/the+ladies.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAEGucDy1-c/T6Cep9Gm14I/AAAAAAAAJUI/myFNlJSX4fI/s320/the+ladies.jpg" width="320" />&nbsp;</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">The ladies wanted to be on their own. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFWCr9hd0EY/T6CcWyFnYyI/AAAAAAAAJTY/M9nt0abQS98/s1600/grafitti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-deomC-hvxVc/T6Ccqf0ZsKI/AAAAAAAAJTo/bYQP_vvPTeI/s1600/interactive+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-deomC-hvxVc/T6Ccqf0ZsKI/AAAAAAAAJTo/bYQP_vvPTeI/s320/interactive+map.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">An interactive map being used by a tourist to locate a place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tyBRSreDRW8/T6CRSbH2pOI/AAAAAAAAJRc/as9MO96z2o0/s1600/ornate+design.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tyBRSreDRW8/T6CRSbH2pOI/AAAAAAAAJRc/as9MO96z2o0/s320/ornate+design.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />&nbsp;Ornately decorated wooden colonnade.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d9WDSa3WD2Y/T6CdB5pvZSI/AAAAAAAAJT4/u1qh__IfEj0/s1600/nice+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hbvV0qnYh1Q/T6CO9MRZQWI/AAAAAAAAJPs/fdoxGYnYD2Y/s1600/flood+level.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hbvV0qnYh1Q/T6CO9MRZQWI/AAAAAAAAJPs/fdoxGYnYD2Y/s1600/flood+level.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qvnUAhI-r_k/T6CRFTyGahI/AAAAAAAAJRM/AdDbZUH-yQA/s1600/obelisk.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qvnUAhI-r_k/T6CRFTyGahI/AAAAAAAAJRM/AdDbZUH-yQA/s320/obelisk.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ymnCesdrOpI/T6CPCqTrruI/AAAAAAAAJP0/ATgPa5OwEQM/s1600/flower1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ymnCesdrOpI/T6CPCqTrruI/AAAAAAAAJP0/ATgPa5OwEQM/s320/flower1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGztNvrT0N4/T6CPJLYfMeI/AAAAAAAAJP8/Tn33uH3bZX8/s1600/getting+ready+for+biz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hdF5S7FjGwg/T6CPVhRzpXI/AAAAAAAAJQM/sHCYt8dWUI8/s1600/glorious+tulips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hdF5S7FjGwg/T6CPVhRzpXI/AAAAAAAAJQM/sHCYt8dWUI8/s320/glorious+tulips.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Glorious tulips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7sPyfWltRk/T6CQuYHQ-xI/AAAAAAAAJQ0/vPR-gsmQ2s4/s1600/Jaguar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QGU2YQoFNQg/T6CRK7WGRuI/AAAAAAAAJRU/8EsiC90BwK0/s1600/old+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QGU2YQoFNQg/T6CRK7WGRuI/AAAAAAAAJRU/8EsiC90BwK0/s320/old+man.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Legend has it that a fragile old man came to Spa City for treatment. After the treatment he emerged to be a young strong man as depicted in the sculpture below. Will I emerge a younger man after leaving the place? Younger at heart, maybe.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S6UocrI-V6o/T6CSe1CI37I/AAAAAAAAJS8/VBkjis8erUc/s1600/young+again.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S6UocrI-V6o/T6CSe1CI37I/AAAAAAAAJS8/VBkjis8erUc/s320/young+again.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tyBRSreDRW8/T6CRSbH2pOI/AAAAAAAAJRc/as9MO96z2o0/s1600/ornate+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FI4wSbUr3LQ/T6CR0I8Np4I/AAAAAAAAJSE/nrlmXJB-rtA/s1600/real+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FI4wSbUr3LQ/T6CR0I8Np4I/AAAAAAAAJSE/nrlmXJB-rtA/s320/real+flowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwN188kCEck/T6CR4j3vebI/AAAAAAAAJSM/-d7PtvI_qno/s1600/souvenirs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFWCr9hd0EY/T6CcWyFnYyI/AAAAAAAAJTY/M9nt0abQS98/s1600/grafitti.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFWCr9hd0EY/T6CcWyFnYyI/AAAAAAAAJTY/M9nt0abQS98/s320/grafitti.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Graffiti on a park table.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JDbf8YntzQo/T6CSO5KoGzI/AAAAAAAAJSk/IePJ8FLVSTA/s1600/water+tasting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKjFvLR-ZpA/T6CSV44f0EI/AAAAAAAAJSs/Ok-Nl-mFqmo/s1600/wild+duck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKjFvLR-ZpA/T6CSV44f0EI/AAAAAAAAJSs/Ok-Nl-mFqmo/s320/wild+duck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Another wild duck.<br /><br />My next post will be about Prague, the capital of Czechs Republic.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFS8V2j5pQU/T6CSawRx_vI/AAAAAAAAJS0/_K9CLLXryQE/s1600/wilod+ducks+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFS8V2j5pQU/T6CSawRx_vI/AAAAAAAAJS0/_K9CLLXryQE/s1600/wilod+ducks+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S6UocrI-V6o/T6CSe1CI37I/AAAAAAAAJS8/VBkjis8erUc/s1600/young+again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2012/05/eastern-european-tour-karlovy-vary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-5443366281396949085Tue, 01 May 2012 03:22:00 +00002012-05-02T09:28:14.380+08:00TravelThe Tour of Eastern Europe - KUL - FRA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From Malaysia To The Czech Republics</div><div style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The preparation for the trip was started when we received the confirmation from our travel agent POTO Travel and Tours Sdn. Bhd that the package is on after they managed to get twenty pax for the trrip. Bags to be used for the trip were brought out and below you can see the packed bags, two of which were to be checked in and the other smaller two will be hand carried. The hand carried baggage will contain items that will be used at airports while on transit such as prayer clothes and mats and cooked food during the trip.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkGb-ocCsc4/T536NRQyPgI/AAAAAAAAJMw/txbArJdcbRM/s1600/Packing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkGb-ocCsc4/T536NRQyPgI/AAAAAAAAJMw/txbArJdcbRM/s320/Packing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">﻿I had specially bought a pair of suede shoes for the trip. Since they were new I have yet to break it in. When I tried it on, on the day of departure it felt too tight and so I opted for a pair of old leather shoes which was used mainly for work when I was still working some seven years ago. It was supposed to be comfortable alas slightly tight as over the seven years that I retire, I have rarely used the shoes and my feet must have expanded due to the&nbsp; too much use of slippers and sandals.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VHNQrODIGco/T538n84aBhI/AAAAAAAAJOY/7fqehA86IPk/s1600/The+shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VHNQrODIGco/T538n84aBhI/AAAAAAAAJOY/7fqehA86IPk/s320/The+shoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">﻿The new suede shoes was not broken in yet so it was left behind.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway even the old pair of shoes that I wore on the flight became too tight for my feet over the 13 hours flight from KL to Frankfurt excluding the 3 hours transit in Abu Dhabi. Fortunately for me my wife packed in another pair of old sandals which turned out to be extremely comfortable as there were many walk abouts and long bus rides during the tour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qBeO8nk3L8Y/T534hqxDBcI/AAAAAAAAJLg/nLK4e1tZD8U/s1600/Frankfurt+airport.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qBeO8nk3L8Y/T534hqxDBcI/AAAAAAAAJLg/nLK4e1tZD8U/s320/Frankfurt+airport.jpg" width="320" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Waiting for our bus upon arrival in Frankfurt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">During the flight, we were told that the European Union countries were very strict about visitors bringing in poultry, beef and whatever other products into their country. For fear of getting into trouble should we be caught, all the members decided to declare everything including all the boiled eggs, serunding, sambal ikan bilis and whatever else that we brought in. We proceeded to the red lanes of the custom check point. To our amazement and joy there was not a single custom officers manning the counter be it the red lane or green lane. At such an unearthly hour as 6.30 am I guess these people love their sleep more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FrKeNQeSYmY/T53820vT94I/AAAAAAAAJOo/YiQmVu5XM6Y/s1600/Transit+at+Abu+Dhabi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nfZkCIySaxo/T534Cv4sYZI/AAAAAAAAJLI/-836WZXSGBg/s1600/Bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nfZkCIySaxo/T534Cv4sYZI/AAAAAAAAJLI/-836WZXSGBg/s320/Bus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Outside the airport this very new 40 seater bus was waiting for us. A forty seater bus for a group of 20 tourists mean a very comfortable ride as each one of us could hog to a double seat. They are definitely much more comfortable than the plane ride and everyone of us can afford a window seat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Frank, the&nbsp; driver of the bus complained to the tour leader Lin from Malaysia to remind her next time not to call the bus in yet until all the members of the entourage are ready to board the bus. It seems the long wait had incurred him a very hefty parking fee when parked in front of the airport terminal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cb-OMm3z5R0/T533n9WpURI/AAAAAAAAJKo/K6ysYfcgKJY/s1600/20+passengers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cb-OMm3z5R0/T533n9WpURI/AAAAAAAAJKo/K6ysYfcgKJY/s320/20+passengers.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See how spacious is the inside of a 40 seater bus with just 20 passengers.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">All the seats in the bus are equipped with a seat belt. Should you be caught not wearing it during a&nbsp; ride, the penalty is Euro60 and the thought of having Euro60 which is equivalent to RM240 is too much to bear so all of us were strapped to our seat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;We left the airport and headed for Romerberg the old section of the city of Frankfurt. Upon alighting from the bus, I was surprised to see how severe the trees at the Romerberg square were pruned. I remember when I was here a few years ago for my European Tour, there were some foliage on the trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C9AqZnT6IW0/T537Gq8OX-I/AAAAAAAAJNQ/7tsMGjKaKdg/s1600/Pruned+Trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C9AqZnT6IW0/T537Gq8OX-I/AAAAAAAAJNQ/7tsMGjKaKdg/s320/Pruned+Trees.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since we had been here before, we were not that anxious to see the fantastic architecture of the old buildings around the area. My wife opted to immediately shop for souvenirs to remember Frankfurt by. I bought a cap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zq_lXHRGEJY/T537PI0LovI/AAAAAAAAJNY/_iURsAM-Ic4/s1600/purchasing+souvenirs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zq_lXHRGEJY/T537PI0LovI/AAAAAAAAJNY/_iURsAM-Ic4/s320/purchasing+souvenirs.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mToSNQ_qFQc/T534rUM4p3I/AAAAAAAAJLo/72pirY3BvWw/s1600/fridge+magnets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mToSNQ_qFQc/T534rUM4p3I/AAAAAAAAJLo/72pirY3BvWw/s320/fridge+magnets.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fridge magnets anyone?</div><div style="border: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1cNie5kfXEk/T533tcl8weI/AAAAAAAAJK4/AgwPrZWo2cI/s1600/beautiful+old+buildings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1cNie5kfXEk/T533tcl8weI/AAAAAAAAJK4/AgwPrZWo2cI/s320/beautiful+old+buildings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The old buildings.</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PlOUyant6kE/T537fFDJ1rI/AAAAAAAAJNo/qLe2_k5BThk/s1600/sec+visit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PlOUyant6kE/T537fFDJ1rI/AAAAAAAAJNo/qLe2_k5BThk/s320/sec+visit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Another moment in our life for the visit to Romerberg.</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-foE1Y347Edc/T538SbZ_5EI/AAAAAAAAJOA/3kKRET3-b1o/s1600/Statue+in+Romer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-foE1Y347Edc/T538SbZ_5EI/AAAAAAAAJOA/3kKRET3-b1o/s320/Statue+in+Romer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The must see statue in the area. Another statue at the extreme right of the picture had been demolished for a certain development.</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQgQEJWzKqE/T538w-2ISxI/AAAAAAAAJOg/xv7O8d8Oh9s/s1600/trams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQgQEJWzKqE/T538w-2ISxI/AAAAAAAAJOg/xv7O8d8Oh9s/s320/trams.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Being an early Saturday morning the street were still empty of people. Only later bus loads of tourists start arriving.</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DjWPZkS7X98/T535k8pwfyI/AAAAAAAAJMQ/fVxsYNA4XGw/s1600/Indonesian+Influence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DjWPZkS7X98/T535k8pwfyI/AAAAAAAAJMQ/fVxsYNA4XGw/s400/Indonesian+Influence.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The Indonesians seems to have left their mark in Romer. Jemaat Kristus Indonesia as the signboard says. What happen to our Malaysian dakwah group?</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yJaiapwrnH4/T534bMgEg_I/AAAAAAAAJLY/_6e8RsCuGzo/s1600/Crusie+ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yJaiapwrnH4/T534bMgEg_I/AAAAAAAAJLY/_6e8RsCuGzo/s320/Crusie+ship.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">A cruise boat still berthed along the River Maine.</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qoauoBIb_II/T533qb7W_ZI/AAAAAAAAJKw/CrIoewOzemE/s1600/Activities+across+river+maine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qoauoBIb_II/T533qb7W_ZI/AAAAAAAAJKw/CrIoewOzemE/s320/Activities+across+river+maine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">What are those people doing so early in the morning across the river?</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Since we still have an hour left to explore the area, my curiosity got the better of me and together with another couple from the group, we crossed the river via this old bridge nearby.</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YjXWxoVQKEg/T5358NL8AuI/AAAAAAAAJMo/fXDzpRJi6Bw/s1600/Old+Bridge+in+Romer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YjXWxoVQKEg/T5358NL8AuI/AAAAAAAAJMo/fXDzpRJi6Bw/s320/Old+Bridge+in+Romer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The tower on this side of the river has a lift inside it so the disabled person or the elderlies will not have to face any difficulties.</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RhZjJIVBrEs/T5349YsCmeI/AAAAAAAAJMA/oe9c4AibEAc/s1600/History+of+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RhZjJIVBrEs/T5349YsCmeI/AAAAAAAAJMA/oe9c4AibEAc/s320/History+of+bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The bridge was constructed in 1911 and completed in 1946. A renovation was made in 1992/1993. That is my guess as to the meaning of those words on the plaque. Any of you has a better guess?</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rY9lyuIELvI/T536wwqvu8I/AAAAAAAAJM4/4G75H33k2fA/s1600/padlocks+on+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rY9lyuIELvI/T536wwqvu8I/AAAAAAAAJM4/4G75H33k2fA/s320/padlocks+on+bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Padlocks on the bridge. Pray tell me why people do this?</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">My earlier hunch that it was a flea market at the end of the bridge. It was confirmed when I asked a passing cyclist. The participants of the flea market were still trying to display their wares but those that were displayed were interesting items like porcelein, bicycle parts and whatever knick knacks that are often found at such a place.</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x32yb4gzvnM/T535sHdSmNI/AAAAAAAAJMY/XYpVG6IRs_0/s1600/items+for+sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x32yb4gzvnM/T535sHdSmNI/AAAAAAAAJMY/XYpVG6IRs_0/s320/items+for+sale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="border: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqvFKvMYHos/T533xg2JxuI/AAAAAAAAJLA/_MuiW-n4H8I/s1600/Bought+a+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqvFKvMYHos/T533xg2JxuI/AAAAAAAAJLA/_MuiW-n4H8I/s320/Bought+a+hat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Since we didn't have too much time on our hands, I just picked up an American felt hat which was still in a very good condition at Euro15 after a Euro5 discount from the female vendor. We joined the group only to be told that the bus will only leave in another hour's time. What a missed opportunity. If only I had known that, we would have stayed longer and perhaps find some treasures to bring home.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dkk276pYk0U/T53431gZrgI/AAAAAAAAJL4/vFLame1sYp4/s1600/German+highway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dkk276pYk0U/T53431gZrgI/AAAAAAAAJL4/vFLame1sYp4/s320/German+highway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The autobahn in Germany.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">At 10 am, we hit the highway for our first town in The Czech Republic by the name of Karlovay Vary which is famous for its spa. In fact it is named as the Spacity. The drive from Frankfurt will take us some four and a half hour including rest stops for the driver and bus which is mandatory in European countries. After a two hours drive the driver must stop some 15 minutes to rest and refresh. A longer rest is need after several more hours. The driver can choose to driver longer but he will require longer rest at the end of it.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It was after entering The Czech Republics that we received the call from Kelantan that my wife's brother in law had passed away after suffering some breathing difficulties. He is so much younger than me and seems to be in the best of health. Allah must have loved him more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSekFomKkiM/T536_8rNfOI/AAAAAAAAJNI/JaIqDL7mmO4/s1600/Porche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSekFomKkiM/T536_8rNfOI/AAAAAAAAJNI/JaIqDL7mmO4/s320/Porche.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Porche</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">At one of the stops we met this guy filling up his Porche.&nbsp; The owner told me hat the number plate is PS which is the initials to his name and 911 which is the model of his Porche. He told this nosy blogger that he bought the Porche at Euro120 thousand some 4 years ago and now the price of this model has gone up by another Euro24 thousand. So you better stop dreaming of buying one even a four years old Porche, a Perve maybe all that I can afford.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQ-KjBbYcQE/T5387UchGzI/AAAAAAAAJOw/mCWQ1Jtk57s/s1600/undulating+meadows.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQ-KjBbYcQE/T5387UchGzI/AAAAAAAAJOw/mCWQ1Jtk57s/s320/undulating+meadows.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">To give you an idea of what you could see along the journey from the bus window is this undulating meadows where grasses or other plants are planted to make hays to feed the cattle. The yellow flowers of this plants seems to be a sight to behold. These are the canola plants planted to produce the canola oil to be used as biodiesel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Me-VDYzlHrM/T5362nNdDuI/AAAAAAAAJNA/QXoa-w15zN8/s1600/pine+forest.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Me-VDYzlHrM/T5362nNdDuI/AAAAAAAAJNA/QXoa-w15zN8/s320/pine+forest.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Another likely scenery is this pine forest and sometimes you could see wild deers at the forest fringe. These wild deers are protected by laws and these laws are rarely broken unlike if they were to be in our country.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sW6LcmzPshw/T537YZTeldI/AAAAAAAAJNg/Jn5HBWxv4Pc/s1600/Room+at+Derby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sW6LcmzPshw/T537YZTeldI/AAAAAAAAJNg/Jn5HBWxv4Pc/s320/Room+at+Derby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our hotel room in Karlovy Vary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We were checked into a small hotel with a comfortable room. Free wifi is available at the lobby floor. It was here that I found out about the ugly skirmishes at the Bersih 3.0 sit in around Dataran Merdeka.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Though we were feeling tired from the long journey from home and without much quality sleep, we prefer to loook around the area of the hotel.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztqoPRNY6Yw/T534HAnp2OI/AAAAAAAAJLQ/VqpN0ROfu4s/s1600/Casino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztqoPRNY6Yw/T534HAnp2OI/AAAAAAAAJLQ/VqpN0ROfu4s/s320/Casino.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A casino </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EdK5TSyDUcE/T534wvAewHI/AAAAAAAAJLw/LWjXL4Jf3iA/s1600/fruits+n+vege.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EdK5TSyDUcE/T534wvAewHI/AAAAAAAAJLw/LWjXL4Jf3iA/s320/fruits+n+vege.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A vegetable and fruit market.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r32h8n48vy8/T535J4l1w3I/AAAAAAAAJMI/6G_KRjsdt0g/s1600/horse+carts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r32h8n48vy8/T535J4l1w3I/AAAAAAAAJMI/6G_KRjsdt0g/s320/horse+carts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Horse drawn carriages for tourists to ride around town.</div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XAmuN7D7GtA/T538Jnp5mhI/AAAAAAAAJN4/E3el6IKmomM/s1600/souvenirs+in+kalovay+vary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XAmuN7D7GtA/T538Jnp5mhI/AAAAAAAAJN4/E3el6IKmomM/s320/souvenirs+in+kalovay+vary.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Souvenir shops.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2zkD40H45pM/T535yRABSCI/AAAAAAAAJMg/Uzrj5lX3eNY/s1600/making+payments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2zkD40H45pM/T535yRABSCI/AAAAAAAAJMg/Uzrj5lX3eNY/s320/making+payments.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Of course my wife will never miss buying some souvenirs.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63ShN0xQZW4/T538aOL1OyI/AAAAAAAAJOI/YaLtnUihKuc/s1600/street+stalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63ShN0xQZW4/T538aOL1OyI/AAAAAAAAJOI/YaLtnUihKuc/s320/street+stalls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Souvenirs being sold at roadside stalls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gd7BD52Lgz8/T538jlax2OI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/GWncGv2FFjc/s1600/super+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gd7BD52Lgz8/T538jlax2OI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/GWncGv2FFjc/s320/super+market.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />An old building is converted to supermarket for the Alber chain of supermarkets in The Czech Republics.<br /><br />That is all for now folks. More to come soon.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQ-KjBbYcQE/T5387UchGzI/AAAAAAAAJOw/mCWQ1Jtk57s/s1600/undulating+meadows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Me-VDYzlHrM/T5362nNdDuI/AAAAAAAAJNA/QXoa-w15zN8/s1600/pine+forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2012/05/tour-of-eastern-europe-kul-fra.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)10Husova 87, 582 82 Golčův Jeníkov, Czech Republic49.817492 15.47296247.324083 10.419251000000001 52.310901 20.526673000000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-856811997808547285Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:16:00 +00002012-04-27T08:16:33.208+08:00Eastern Europe - A Dream Holiday Comes TrueIt took a holiday to Eastern Europe to drive me back to blogging. It has been quite a while since I made my last post on August 8, 2011 despite having many things to share. The enthusiasm to blog seems to have waned after the addiction to Facebook which seems to take so much of my time on the internet.<br />The trip to Eastern Europe will begin today when I leave home after the Friday prayers via a short flight from Kota Bharu to Kuala Lumpur International Airport by MAS, followed by the onward journey to Frankfurt in Germany by Emirates, which include a transit in Abu Dhabi. From Frankfurt it will be a land journey to Karlovy Vary and Prague in Czech Republic, Bratislava in Slovakia, Budapest in Hungary, Vienna and Salzberg in Austria, Munich and back to Frankfurt in Germany. Inclusive of the travel dates, the journey will take a total of 13 days.<br />As usual our favourite travel company <a href="http://www.pototravel.com.my/">POTO Travel</a> will be taking our group of 20 from Malaysia to these wonderful destinations.<br />I will be sharing with you the rest of my travel to Eastern Europe and new posts will be made as time and internet availability permits. Hopefully you will be enjoy reading the travelogue as much as I will be enjoying doing it.http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2012/04/eastern-europe-dream-holiday-comes-true.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-9215264893144137920Sun, 07 Aug 2011 23:50:00 +00002011-08-08T07:51:56.616+08:00FriendshipA Trip Down Memory Lane - Gunung Jerai and Bukit Bendera Pulau PinangThis is my final post on my Trip Down Memory Lane series. I will be going easy by using pictures to tell my story.<br />We left Kuala Perlis early after breakfast so that we will arrive in Gurun before noon to be able to perform my Friday prayers there. We had promised our friend Haji Zakaria that we would stop over at his place in Gurun on our way down to Penang. As Gurun is along the way, it was very convenient.<br />We took the old route from Kuala Perlis as we prefer to see life along the way rather than drive along the mundane North - South Highway. Driving on highways is a boring thing to do unless you are in a hurry. The problem with our road signage is most signages will try to lead you to the highway negating my very intent in the first place.<br />It was in Alor Star that I had a bit of problem when I took the wrong turn which would take me away from my direction to Gurun. A good samaritan told me to back track and he was intent on my getting the right direction and made me repeat after him all the numbers of traffic lights and the turns I need to take to go the correct way. Alor Setar has changed that much since I was last there in 1981.<br />Tuan Haji Zakaria's house was easy to locate as it was close to the Gurun Mosque.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sh85jSqydGo/Tjy1KKXtVBI/AAAAAAAAJJU/NZUsSuo_4fs/s1600/Gurun1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sh85jSqydGo/Tjy1KKXtVBI/AAAAAAAAJJU/NZUsSuo_4fs/s400/Gurun1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637580019748131858" border="0" /></a>One for the album with him and his wife at his residence.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz1vsPPYneM/Tjy1KSJIq7I/AAAAAAAAJJk/ALGrDnsTvHo/s1600/Gurun3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz1vsPPYneM/Tjy1KSJIq7I/AAAAAAAAJJk/ALGrDnsTvHo/s400/Gurun3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637580021834492850" border="0" /></a>He has another new bungalow located not far away from his present home. His daughter and family lives in the new bungalow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CYWcEURTlZk/Tjy1KTQzwZI/AAAAAAAAJJc/E4y9XGTCSVk/s1600/Gurun2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CYWcEURTlZk/Tjy1KTQzwZI/AAAAAAAAJJc/E4y9XGTCSVk/s400/Gurun2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637580022135112082" border="0" /></a>The fruit of his labor, a durian tree laden with delicious fruits. We were lucky as a solitary fruit had fallen on that day and we were given the honour to eat it.<br />After performing the solat Jumaat at the mosque near his home where he is also the treasurer, we decided to ride up Gunung Jerai as I wanted to see how Gunung Jerai is now since my last trip was in 1980. Tuan Haji told me there has been many changes since a private company has taken over the management of the rest houses on top of the hill. His daughter who has never been to the summit tagged along. Imagine after living for about 20 years in the vicinity of the hill this is her first time there!<br />As we don't want to unnecessarily stress up our cars to ride up the steep incline, we hired a van which plies the route daily for a fee of RM50.00 for the five of us. It was a fair price indeed and he promised us to take us to the Resort which is out of bound to non paying guests.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jdmgph57pVs/Tjy0EyPN8ZI/AAAAAAAAJH8/7J9xDranCJk/s1600/GJ1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jdmgph57pVs/Tjy0EyPN8ZI/AAAAAAAAJH8/7J9xDranCJk/s400/GJ1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637578827859095954" border="0" /></a>The entrance to the foothill of Gunung Jerai from inside looking out.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jf_BQaPFzAE/Tjy0mvh1F5I/AAAAAAAAJJE/A_OkZPO9Ug4/s1600/GJ12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jf_BQaPFzAE/Tjy0mvh1F5I/AAAAAAAAJJE/A_OkZPO9Ug4/s400/GJ12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637579411247404946" border="0" /></a>Abd. Wahab Aminurahman aka Pak Long whose van was hired to take us up Gunung Jerai. Pak Long has a lot of stories to tell and can be contacted on his HP 012 4137341 for reservation.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t05K1MIDv88/Tjy0mc3JuuI/AAAAAAAAJI0/aGaeEJtX7dE/s1600/GJ10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t05K1MIDv88/Tjy0mc3JuuI/AAAAAAAAJI0/aGaeEJtX7dE/s400/GJ10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637579406236564194" border="0" /></a>Click to enlarge to read some information about Gunung Jerai.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-16K6dzfJnY4/Tjy0FEach0I/AAAAAAAAJIE/_BIg3DVrg7k/s1600/GJ2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-16K6dzfJnY4/Tjy0FEach0I/AAAAAAAAJIE/_BIg3DVrg7k/s400/GJ2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637578832738027330" border="0" /></a>The Regency Gunung Jerai Resort as it is now known after extensive makeover.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1fGo6oLXXX8/Tjy1KAJnO9I/AAAAAAAAJJM/NgeCUXkck-c/s1600/GJ15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1fGo6oLXXX8/Tjy1KAJnO9I/AAAAAAAAJJM/NgeCUXkck-c/s400/GJ15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637580017004657618" border="0" /></a>The Forest Museum and Gallery belonging to The Forestry Department near the summit of Gunung Jerai. We didn't get to see the inside though.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-di70_kIHKg4/Tjy0mYklEZI/AAAAAAAAJIs/7LrtVBoEthM/s1600/GJ9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-di70_kIHKg4/Tjy0mYklEZI/AAAAAAAAJIs/7LrtVBoEthM/s400/GJ9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637579405084922258" border="0" /></a>The Restaurant and Reception of Regency Gunung Jerai Resort.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fxLbo-VHo7g/Tjy0FvADLgI/AAAAAAAAJIc/zmbNrKETwOA/s1600/GJ7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fxLbo-VHo7g/Tjy0FvADLgI/AAAAAAAAJIc/zmbNrKETwOA/s400/GJ7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637578844170038786" border="0" /></a>Room rates ranges from RM240 to RM600. Pretty steep price but definitely worth every sen of it.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bGv02vmmujQ/Tjy0mAJsLfI/AAAAAAAAJIk/8OQ3EgvO13k/s1600/GJ8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bGv02vmmujQ/Tjy0mAJsLfI/AAAAAAAAJIk/8OQ3EgvO13k/s400/GJ8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637579398529691122" border="0" /></a>That is the elevation where the resort is located.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kZrKDi6jKZY/Tjy0FfA_t2I/AAAAAAAAJIU/Zs7v-27cgd0/s1600/GJ6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kZrKDi6jKZY/Tjy0FfA_t2I/AAAAAAAAJIU/Zs7v-27cgd0/s400/GJ6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637578839879038818" border="0" /></a>At the time of our visit the Grammatophyllum sp. was in full blooms. This is one of the biggest orchid species in the world.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KFQ65jWjqlk/Tjy0FZ3RXgI/AAAAAAAAJIM/ql3x7vVR5_Y/s1600/GJ5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KFQ65jWjqlk/Tjy0FZ3RXgI/AAAAAAAAJIM/ql3x7vVR5_Y/s400/GJ5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637578838496075266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NhtiAwPWM8A/Tjy0mllnlNI/AAAAAAAAJI8/KJikVmLXPLg/s1600/GJ11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NhtiAwPWM8A/Tjy0mllnlNI/AAAAAAAAJI8/KJikVmLXPLg/s400/GJ11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637579408578942162" border="0" /></a>Another one for the album. Pak Long took the picture for us.<br /><br />We didn't stay too long at the summit. After returning to the base we drove back to Tuan Haji Zakaria's home for a delicious treat of 'pulut durian' (Durian with glutenous rice and coconut milk sweetened with grated palm sugar).<br />We had to decline his invitation to stay for the night at his place as we did not want to change our itinerary so we took our leave and drove onward to Seberang Prai via the North - South Highway as we need to reach Prai before dark as I was not familiar with the route to my sister in law's place.<br />True enough we had to call her assistance to come and lead us to her home as I was clueless on how to get to her place despite her giving instructions via the phone. Fortunately for us, we were not really very far from her place.<br />The next day we drove to Pulau Pinang via the Penang Bridge. My sister in law tagged along to be our guide. We had no specific itinerary and we will just go with the flow of the traffic. We headed for Tanjung Buggah and halfway we found the road to Bukit Bendera so we just turned towards it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t05K1MIDv88/Tjy0mc3JuuI/AAAAAAAAJI0/aGaeEJtX7dE/s1600/GJ10.jpg"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZmCb7IhBdI/Tjyq9RVDTlI/AAAAAAAAJCU/9upNxYoxntM/s1600/penang1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZmCb7IhBdI/Tjyq9RVDTlI/AAAAAAAAJCU/9upNxYoxntM/s400/penang1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637568803161460306" border="0" /></a>Driving on the Penang Bridge.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WU9nHOexgPE/Tjyq9bz8v8I/AAAAAAAAJCc/8tBpV3Zi56Y/s1600/Penang3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WU9nHOexgPE/Tjyq9bz8v8I/AAAAAAAAJCc/8tBpV3Zi56Y/s400/Penang3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637568805975408578" border="0" /></a>At the end of the road we saw the entrance to the Hill Railway with a brand new but yet serviceable multilevel car park beside it. Parking was definitely a problem and we paid RM3 to a parking tout to park along the side lane leading to a temple.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WU9nHOexgPE/Tjyq9bz8v8I/AAAAAAAAJCc/8tBpV3Zi56Y/s1600/Penang3.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SiM289Oett8/Tjyq9V-XSNI/AAAAAAAAJCk/9d8SWNn0gNQ/s1600/Penang4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SiM289Oett8/Tjyq9V-XSNI/AAAAAAAAJCk/9d8SWNn0gNQ/s400/Penang4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637568804408477906" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BMDp_772EE/Tjyq9wrMTEI/AAAAAAAAJC0/nrjLgiu89Ik/s1600/Penang6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BMDp_772EE/Tjyq9wrMTEI/AAAAAAAAJC0/nrjLgiu89Ik/s400/Penang6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637568811575823426" border="0" /></a>This entrance is for the residents of Penang Hill and VIPs.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqaDUo1bsZA/Tjyq9gj3w7I/AAAAAAAAJCs/qYGxPvsYIHk/s1600/Penang5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqaDUo1bsZA/Tjyq9gj3w7I/AAAAAAAAJCs/qYGxPvsYIHk/s400/Penang5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637568807250150322" border="0" /></a>Being tourists we had to buy tickets. Foreign tourists have to pay a higher rate and locals will have to show their mykad to enjoy a lower rate. The guy at the ticket counter noted our age and charged us a child's rate of RM4 each. The privilege of being a 'warga emas' hehehehe.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tetmwxc9EKk/TjyrhZWx1cI/AAAAAAAAJC8/M5-1dvfB9Go/s1600/Penang7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tetmwxc9EKk/TjyrhZWx1cI/AAAAAAAAJC8/M5-1dvfB9Go/s400/Penang7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637569423791478210" border="0" /></a>Scale sized first generation and second generation railway cabs and other paraphernalia relating to the old railway operation on display along the way to the embarkation point.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDuI-KxinZQ/Tjyrhi3KNRI/AAAAAAAAJDM/wAC7r4SOT6U/s1600/Penang9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDuI-KxinZQ/Tjyrhi3KNRI/AAAAAAAAJDM/wAC7r4SOT6U/s400/Penang9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637569426343212306" border="0" /></a>Rushing to board the brand new train<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0VeB-Tfhjkc/Tjyrh1GG_MI/AAAAAAAAJDU/djpIJlz81hs/s1600/Penang10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0VeB-Tfhjkc/Tjyrh1GG_MI/AAAAAAAAJDU/djpIJlz81hs/s400/Penang10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637569431237754050" border="0" /></a>The inside of the new air conditoned cabin which is much larger and faster.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mYqcGtboJ_8/Tjyrh82hgtI/AAAAAAAAJDc/vLdWH37-aDM/s1600/Penang11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mYqcGtboJ_8/Tjyrh82hgtI/AAAAAAAAJDc/vLdWH37-aDM/s400/Penang11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637569433319867090" border="0" /></a>If I remember it right this is Andrew and his spouse from Yorkshire England. When I told him this was my second trip after 30 years, he shocked me that it was his second trip after 50 yrs ago when he was living in Singapore. Learnt a lesson today: Never brag in front of complete strangers.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MjDuDJERZc/TjysSSqdOMI/AAAAAAAAJDk/DJvTnWsmV04/s1600/Penang13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MjDuDJERZc/TjysSSqdOMI/AAAAAAAAJDk/DJvTnWsmV04/s400/Penang13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637570263808555202" border="0" /></a>From the top station we just walked to the summit.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5E3HWWykuY/TjysSbrZCjI/AAAAAAAAJDs/IPjqr5IF_kE/s1600/Penang14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5E3HWWykuY/TjysSbrZCjI/AAAAAAAAJDs/IPjqr5IF_kE/s400/Penang14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637570266228394546" border="0" /></a>Midway we saw a little girl having 'inai' painting on her hand.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nawZu-LN0tk/TjysShYHBOI/AAAAAAAAJD0/hxQBge2YbtA/s1600/Penang15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nawZu-LN0tk/TjysShYHBOI/AAAAAAAAJD0/hxQBge2YbtA/s400/Penang15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637570267758134498" border="0" /></a>If you are unable to walk around or just love to see more, the services of electrically operated buggies are available for a fee.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nJAh3Qc4SHs/TjysSq6p4bI/AAAAAAAAJD8/9oLpHrAMQ5c/s1600/Penang16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nJAh3Qc4SHs/TjysSq6p4bI/AAAAAAAAJD8/9oLpHrAMQ5c/s400/Penang16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637570270318944690" border="0" /></a>The first generation train cabin on display.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v6KNVc4PJnU/TjysS09AA9I/AAAAAAAAJEE/Bj4ViqcOR_A/s1600/Penang17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v6KNVc4PJnU/TjysS09AA9I/AAAAAAAAJEE/Bj4ViqcOR_A/s400/Penang17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637570273013138386" border="0" /></a>The food court and souvenir shop is under extensive renovation.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2fNEVMidmU/Tjys_zImqmI/AAAAAAAAJEk/bKevuUH_u9w/s1600/Penang21.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2fNEVMidmU/Tjys_zImqmI/AAAAAAAAJEk/bKevuUH_u9w/s400/Penang21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571045619051106" border="0" /></a>Fatthiyah found her fridge magnets that brought her so much joy to cram up the outside of our two large refrigerators back home.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-elb7LB4906U/Tjys_ioFIgI/AAAAAAAAJEM/FdP91SOy6iU/s1600/Penang18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-elb7LB4906U/Tjys_ioFIgI/AAAAAAAAJEM/FdP91SOy6iU/s400/Penang18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571041187668482" border="0" /></a>A short flight up brought us to a Hindu Temple.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQgLUNd0Y7g/Tjys_jv0WQI/AAAAAAAAJEU/xh8qj6tfxbQ/s1600/Penang19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQgLUNd0Y7g/Tjys_jv0WQI/AAAAAAAAJEU/xh8qj6tfxbQ/s400/Penang19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571041488558338" border="0" /></a>Another flight of stairs brought us to the mosque.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ioUpMZ6Bq0/Tjys_wQ6nEI/AAAAAAAAJEc/BFKkjBL4svg/s1600/Penang20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ioUpMZ6Bq0/Tjys_wQ6nEI/AAAAAAAAJEc/BFKkjBL4svg/s400/Penang20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571044848606274" border="0" /></a>A young boy training his cannon on his enemies in the city below.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7E_bQzMAxuw/TjytmZbzteI/AAAAAAAAJE8/Oq-7Iux4fOk/s1600/Penang24.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7E_bQzMAxuw/TjytmZbzteI/AAAAAAAAJE8/Oq-7Iux4fOk/s400/Penang24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571708735174114" border="0" /></a>The City of Penang as seen from the top of Bukit Bendera.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9d-GN-1G1X0/TjytmLIxKcI/AAAAAAAAJE0/eiqV12O8f2I/s1600/Penang23.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9d-GN-1G1X0/TjytmLIxKcI/AAAAAAAAJE0/eiqV12O8f2I/s400/Penang23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571704897219010" border="0" /></a>On a stage you can be photographed with an albino python, for a fee of course.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5829LqG1Pk/TjytAP6XL2I/AAAAAAAAJEs/aDwONIDY2og/s1600/Penang22.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5829LqG1Pk/TjytAP6XL2I/AAAAAAAAJEs/aDwONIDY2og/s400/Penang22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571053343944546" border="0" /></a>I group of mountain bikers arrive at the summit. We wondered which route they took.<br /><br />We descended Bukit bendera and drove over to The Botanical Garden. We had visited this place once with our children when they were small.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_GNbv8MDAw/TjytmYggT2I/AAAAAAAAJFE/czOSei0K8Rg/s1600/Penang25.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_GNbv8MDAw/TjytmYggT2I/AAAAAAAAJFE/czOSei0K8Rg/s400/Penang25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571708486438754" border="0" /></a>This was the entrance to the Botanical Garden and the track to the top of the hill is on the left of this entrance. Now we know where the bikers started their climb.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYq6Tps9WtQ/Tjytmnn68PI/AAAAAAAAJFM/Od4ZLqkMsME/s1600/Penang26.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYq6Tps9WtQ/Tjytmnn68PI/AAAAAAAAJFM/Od4ZLqkMsME/s400/Penang26.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571712544076018" border="0" /></a>With the above signs, you shouldn't be lost in the botanical garden.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uEIRNsgR-bI/Tjytmkqn_0I/AAAAAAAAJFU/vagKVEDM-c0/s1600/Penang27.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uEIRNsgR-bI/Tjytmkqn_0I/AAAAAAAAJFU/vagKVEDM-c0/s400/Penang27.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637571711750111042" border="0" /></a>We were tired so we took the mini train ride around the garden.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw5IawJdZ7Y/TjyuWHHyujI/AAAAAAAAJFc/_MmhoqIL6X8/s1600/Penang28.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw5IawJdZ7Y/TjyuWHHyujI/AAAAAAAAJFc/_MmhoqIL6X8/s400/Penang28.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637572528453106226" border="0" /></a>Along the way we saw two visitors photographing a monkey with the male partner doing all sort of antics to coax the monkey to give his/her best pose.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-05D0ZNqpDYs/TjyuWR1wS3I/AAAAAAAAJFk/e4tEA8L0YT0/s1600/Penang29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-05D0ZNqpDYs/TjyuWR1wS3I/AAAAAAAAJFk/e4tEA8L0YT0/s400/Penang29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637572531330239346" border="0" /></a>This is how my mini train would look if I were to be photographed from afar.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rOpwEzXuyJY/TjyuWVjIURI/AAAAAAAAJFs/DirOjLdVLQQ/s1600/Penang30.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rOpwEzXuyJY/TjyuWVjIURI/AAAAAAAAJFs/DirOjLdVLQQ/s400/Penang30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637572532325863698" border="0" /></a>A stream listlessly flowing through the garden. During our first visit, our children bathed in a section of the dammed up stream. Now a sigboard clearly advised people from bathing in the stream. That shows how contaminated the stream is nowadays.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9yGJg_1-ihA/TjyuWrpC1YI/AAAAAAAAJF0/NLmKbKlPIcc/s1600/Penang31.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9yGJg_1-ihA/TjyuWrpC1YI/AAAAAAAAJF0/NLmKbKlPIcc/s400/Penang31.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637572538256250242" border="0" /></a>Having done with the botanical garden we drove on on to Tanjung Bugah where we once had fun bathing in the sea. We couldn't find a parking place and could revisit the spot but still managed to find a spot to photograph the sea at high tide.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ub5VWaIurTw/TjyuWrce0eI/AAAAAAAAJF8/q8-N0_oo8DY/s1600/Penang32.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ub5VWaIurTw/TjyuWrce0eI/AAAAAAAAJF8/q8-N0_oo8DY/s400/Penang32.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637572538203558370" border="0" /></a>A stop at a floating mosque in Tanjung Bungah where we did the combined solat Zohor and Asar.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2veFIeHeRfY/TjyvFhaqgmI/AAAAAAAAJGE/anmGKT7hJ3Q/s1600/Penang34.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2veFIeHeRfY/TjyvFhaqgmI/AAAAAAAAJGE/anmGKT7hJ3Q/s400/Penang34.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637573342965432930" border="0" /></a>Driving along Gurney Drive.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QwNzL5XtkZU/TjyvF2XPPrI/AAAAAAAAJGM/l-xfY332vrQ/s1600/Penang35.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QwNzL5XtkZU/TjyvF2XPPrI/AAAAAAAAJGM/l-xfY332vrQ/s400/Penang35.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637573348588207794" border="0" /></a>Stopping by at Fort Cornwallis.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPLunFhKX5A/TjyvF-O-v8I/AAAAAAAAJGU/TK_xUCbGZzw/s1600/Penang36.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPLunFhKX5A/TjyvF-O-v8I/AAAAAAAAJGU/TK_xUCbGZzw/s400/Penang36.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637573350701055938" border="0" /></a>The entrance to the Fort. Entrance fee must be paid inside the entrance.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJ3hx5AlD8c/TjyvGFJ1BhI/AAAAAAAAJGc/aA4Xo0SGUzE/s1600/Penang37.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJ3hx5AlD8c/TjyvGFJ1BhI/AAAAAAAAJGc/aA4Xo0SGUzE/s400/Penang37.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637573352558495250" border="0" /></a>A statue of Sir Francis Light was relocated to this fort from a round about outside the fort. Sir Francis Light managed to find Penang even after the natives have found the island several hundred years ahead of him.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d2dAE9ViLB8/TjyvGGNskXI/AAAAAAAAJGk/2-_eTJFfHn0/s1600/Penang38.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d2dAE9ViLB8/TjyvGGNskXI/AAAAAAAAJGk/2-_eTJFfHn0/s400/Penang38.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637573352843153778" border="0" /></a>Yours truly being photographed with the British soldiers.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuFmg-sHZO8/TjyvwHRrd2I/AAAAAAAAJGs/OtTRzI8plOo/s1600/Penang39.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuFmg-sHZO8/TjyvwHRrd2I/AAAAAAAAJGs/OtTRzI8plOo/s400/Penang39.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637574074682799970" border="0" /></a>Sir Mohamad Zawawi with My Lady who had to stand on some raised slabs just to make her face visible in the face slot.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dpyA3fFQXyk/TjyvwY9buEI/AAAAAAAAJG0/20bTq0Xy9ms/s1600/Penang40.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dpyA3fFQXyk/TjyvwY9buEI/AAAAAAAAJG0/20bTq0Xy9ms/s400/Penang40.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637574079429720130" border="0" /></a>Hey we did the same thing as the other tourists did.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSdYRe7_pjE/Tjyvwjh-IeI/AAAAAAAAJHE/KDu14LgXFIo/s1600/Penang42.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSdYRe7_pjE/Tjyvwjh-IeI/AAAAAAAAJHE/KDu14LgXFIo/s400/Penang42.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637574082267324898" border="0" /></a>A canon with a missing wheels. Unlike the stolen wheels of the cannons in Malacca, the wooden wheel of this canon in Fort Cornwallis just disintegrated due to the relentless weather.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rM65onrelrU/Tjyvwa7GHyI/AAAAAAAAJG8/OOqb6YK-zlI/s1600/Penang41.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 362px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rM65onrelrU/Tjyvwa7GHyI/AAAAAAAAJG8/OOqb6YK-zlI/s400/Penang41.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637574079956786978" border="0" /></a>If you want to know about the canon, just read it up there. There was going to be a cultural show that evening but it was too long for us to wait so we just leave it for others to enjoy.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hz1Xc7GOoS0/TjyvwjiYT0I/AAAAAAAAJHM/8KT5vbFWWN0/s1600/Penang43.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hz1Xc7GOoS0/TjyvwjiYT0I/AAAAAAAAJHM/8KT5vbFWWN0/s400/Penang43.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637574082269040450" border="0" /></a>Having entered the island via the Penang Bridge it is only right that we took the ferry ride back to the mainland. This is the ultimate nostalgic feeling as there was no Penang Bridge when we came here some thirty years ago. So we proceeded to The Tun Uda Jetty just around the corner from Fort Cornwalis.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKk7zoob1xQ/Tjywd9SYjkI/AAAAAAAAJHU/97T0Q1YcWi8/s1600/Penang44.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKk7zoob1xQ/Tjywd9SYjkI/AAAAAAAAJHU/97T0Q1YcWi8/s400/Penang44.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637574862275382850" border="0" /></a>Our 7 years old Toyota Vios bearing the distinct Kelantan number plates riding the ferry to Prai.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-28oMYLeygJk/TjyweIfwagI/AAAAAAAAJHc/-WM3GfkpV8U/s1600/Penang45.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-28oMYLeygJk/TjyweIfwagI/AAAAAAAAJHc/-WM3GfkpV8U/s400/Penang45.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637574865284262402" border="0" /></a>This is how a double decker vehicle ferry look like from outside.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--_GcncimS0M/TjyweeMr9XI/AAAAAAAAJHk/4_Mz83iqx2w/s1600/Penang46.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--_GcncimS0M/TjyweeMr9XI/AAAAAAAAJHk/4_Mz83iqx2w/s400/Penang46.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637574871109858674" border="0" /></a>Leaving off the pier.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x7zY_smYlms/TjywecyWD7I/AAAAAAAAJHs/3Dar2oSDl5I/s1600/Penang47.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x7zY_smYlms/TjywecyWD7I/AAAAAAAAJHs/3Dar2oSDl5I/s400/Penang47.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637574870730936242" border="0" /></a>The Star Cruise ship berthed at the pier. The sight of the ship rekindled our dream to take a cruise on it one day. I guess this may not be my last visit to Penang.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZmCb7IhBdI/Tjyq9RVDTlI/AAAAAAAAJCU/9upNxYoxntM/s1600/penang1.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BlDYY5y9DZg/Tjywefr2HAI/AAAAAAAAJH0/J1aIm-6knVg/s1600/Penang48.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 103px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BlDYY5y9DZg/Tjywefr2HAI/AAAAAAAAJH0/J1aIm-6knVg/s400/Penang48.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637574871508982786" border="0" /></a>The Penang Bridge as seen from the ferry. it was hazy and thus the sight isn't really discernible.<br />Upon disembarkation from the ferry, we proceeded to my cousin's place in Kepala Batas. My cousin Haji Rahim was not home as he and his family had gone to Gurun. Obviously he had not received my SMS that was sent from the top of Penang Hill. I found out the obvious after checking my phone. I laughed at myself. Learned another lesson that a cloned iphone4 is never good enough as the real thing.<br />Anyway I did stop over at his place the next morning on our way home to Kelantan.<br />Dear readers,<br />If you have reached this far, I would like to say thank you for bearing with me over this long post.http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2011/08/trip-down-memory-lane-gunung-jerai-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-6749834388501044114Thu, 21 Jul 2011 01:03:00 +00002011-07-21T09:03:23.449+08:00SocialFund Raising For A Good Cause<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PKRThlr8haM/Tid5UDbok6I/AAAAAAAAJCM/rXfXIHFzXwE/s1600/rumahpakpin.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PKRThlr8haM/Tid5UDbok6I/AAAAAAAAJCM/rXfXIHFzXwE/s400/rumahpakpin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631603244475650978" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Asrama Anak2 Yatim Pak Pin</span><br /></div><img src="file:///C:/Users/Zawawi/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Zawawi/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Zawawi/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.png" alt="" /><br /><br />Pak Pin the Kelantanese expatriate in Jeddah is rasing some fund for his Rumah Anak-anak Yatim dan Miskin in Kuala Krai, Kelantan. The hostel will be able to accommodate about 25 female students studying at an Islamic School nearby. Since Pak Pin has already spent a substantial sum of money on its construction, it is only right that others chip in to buy furnitures for the house which will also be the home of a live in warden to look after the students.<br />In his latest post on his blogsite <a href="http://bakpo.blogspot.com/">"Bakpo~?"</a> Pak Pin is raisng fund via selling almost all of the paintings that he bought from me since 2009. Read more of what he is offering at his blog <a href="http://bakpo.blogspot.com/2011/07/pak-zawis-work-of-art-on-my-walls.html">HERE</a>.<br />It is for a noble cause and for those with the extra money to spare, please chip in at the same time you will get to own one of my painting from his collection. The reward of pahala will be even bigger.http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2011/07/fund-raising-for-good-cause.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-5928304168137182206Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:42:00 +00002011-07-12T21:32:46.588+08:00FriendshipPakpayne In Pasir Mas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D5yH49Jh-RI/ThrYsQ6V9kI/AAAAAAAAJA0/1zyrI4YlQZo/s1600/Pakpaynenme1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D5yH49Jh-RI/ThrYsQ6V9kI/AAAAAAAAJA0/1zyrI4YlQZo/s400/Pakpaynenme1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628048939318376002" border="0" /></a><br />It is necessary for me to delay the posting of the final part of The Trip Down Memory Lane in order to accommodate this post about the visit of this illustrious son of Kelantan who is now currently working in Jeddah but came back to Malaysia for a family business and a short holiday in Singapore. They once lived there. Pakpayne as I first knew with his blog <a href="http://bakpo.blogspot.com/">Bakpo~?</a> is also known as Pak Pin or just Pp.<br />I had enticed him to come to Pasir Mas for a home cooked lunch/dinner even before he left the shore of Saudi Arabia. I have something to pass to him and it would be most convenient should he dropped in to say hello and stay on for lunch or dinner.<br />A message on Facebook from him inquiring whether he could drop in on 11th July 2011 was answered in the affirmative by joyous me. This generous man deserve the best treatment from me as he had been instrumental in motivating me to be a painter after Zendra of <a href="http://kaizendra.blogspot.com/">Zendra's Fascinations</a> spurred me on with her purchase of my first painting even before it was done. How not to be motivated when Pak Pin ordered 10 paintings in one go and paid for them in cash up front even before I have completed even half the numbers? This man really had faith in me though I only became a painter sometime in August 2009.<br />We had known each other in the blogosphere and we met for the first time only in August 2008 when we had a mini gathering of bloggers in Kota bharu where <a href="http://www.puterismusings.net/">Puteri Campbell</a> and Family dropped by into Kota Bharu enroute home for the US after visiting her parents in Sarawak. The late Captain Yusoff Ahmad of <a href="http://cyusof.blogspot.com/">The Ancient Mariner </a>with three other friends and Adawwiyah Abid, who is another blogger was in attendance too.<br />Painting came into my life only in August 2009 about a year after we met, so I gather he doesn't have any inkling at all on how well or how bad my work can be. Back then I thought he was just being charitable because Pak Pin was buying paintings on the net at auctions. The paintings he was buying and selling cost more than USD500 each and most of them are the works by established world class artists. Well lucky me as I have him as my patron who in a way encourages me to be a painter.<br />In all Pak Pin has 11 paintings of mine gracing the walls of his home in Taman Melati, Gombak.<br />To commemorate his visit to my home I gave him a painting of Sawah Padi with a backdrop of Bukit Panau, the famous hillock that forms the benchmark for all land survey work in Kelantan. Bukit Panau is visible from the house where Pak Pin grew up in Pangkal Kalong, Kemubu with his late single mum as a young boy during his primary school days.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PKOI32i4Uwk/ThrYr-mjzwI/AAAAAAAAJAk/kqviloK7Z_8/s1600/a%2Bsmall%2Bgift.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PKOI32i4Uwk/ThrYr-mjzwI/AAAAAAAAJAk/kqviloK7Z_8/s400/a%2Bsmall%2Bgift.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628048934403559170" border="0" /></a>Pak Pin receiving 'Sawah Padi' from me as a token of my appreciation for his visit and support.<br /><br />Pak Pin and his family had lunch at our place. Since we had a small dining area with just a table for six, we let them have lunch first and we hang around to serve them. As En. Sahlan the owner and driver of the vehicle that they rented had just had his brunch, he declined to take lunch. The sixth seat at the table was taken up by our cousin Kamal who had been acquainted with Pak Pin during his days in Dubai where Kamal's company was doing some business there.<br />For the lunch we had a simple spread comprising mainly of 'daging singgang', my signature siakap sweet sour, fried fish, 'ikan tawar bakar' to go with the budu and ulam-ulam, young mango slices, sambal durian of the hottest kind, petai masak tumis with cockle flesh, fried 'ikan gelama sungai kering' and a watermelon fruit dish. Since the table was so small and everything was in two's, the table seemed overflowing with food and we had to take some out to accommodate the serving plate. Pak Pin's family are small eaters and they didn't consume much.<br />Before leaving the house, this couple gave me this perfume with the delicious scent.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mip0LCHIpdw/ThwgGIl3MbI/AAAAAAAAJBk/0kKVh0uvHNo/s1600/perfume.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mip0LCHIpdw/ThwgGIl3MbI/AAAAAAAAJBk/0kKVh0uvHNo/s400/perfume.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628408924063871410" border="0" /></a>Now it will be my favourite perfume as it is bereft of any alcohol.<br /><br />On his previous visit to kelantan Pak Pin gave us this gold plated commemorative plate of Dubai which is proudly displayed on a cabinet in our main guestroom.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pR288vFpzGM/ThwgGaGoZkI/AAAAAAAAJBs/dMY4uI7dQlI/s1600/plate.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pR288vFpzGM/ThwgGaGoZkI/AAAAAAAAJBs/dMY4uI7dQlI/s400/plate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628408928764716610" border="0" /></a>Such a precious gift.<br /><br />After a short rest and after Puan Aishah and her mother had done the Zohor prayers, we moved on to Kamal's house to see Kamal's yet to be completed Bali styled house. (Please don't imagine it to be anywhere near as huge as the ex-Selangor MB's house though). Kamal had built his Bali styled home using mainly recycled building materials he collected from buildings torn down at project sites that his company was rebuilding. It is not so much on saving of costs that he uses these recycled material as transportation costs bringing them over from KL was high but he had managed to lay his hand on high quality heavy hard wood to suit his design. Kamal by training is not only an architect but also a quantity surveyor.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QXJHEtKmUhE/ThrZVyS0k_I/AAAAAAAAJA8/Fo0T-_R7HJo/s1600/pakpin%2Bn%2Bkamal.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QXJHEtKmUhE/ThrZVyS0k_I/AAAAAAAAJA8/Fo0T-_R7HJo/s400/pakpin%2Bn%2Bkamal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628049652654052338" border="0" /></a>Pak Pin with Kamal as viewed from a wooden arch in the garden.<br /><br />Pak Pin was so impressed with the style and he was broaching the idea of creating a cluster of such villas with a gated community for sale to the many Kelantanese living in Kuala Lumpur who yearns for a second home in their home state and be used when returning to visit family and friends. He has friends who are willing to buy them. This idea not only excited Kamal but yours truly as well. Just imagine a cluster of 8 Bali style villas will translate in quite a market for original paintings for the market hungry painters in Kelantan including yours truly.<br />I had brought over some durians which Pak Pin had earlier brought to my house but we didn't have the stomach to consume them at my house because of the lunch. They were the best of durians with a rich yellow, thick and sweet flesh. Pak Pin had bought them in Pasir Mas from an old mak cik without bothering to bargain as we normally does. With that kind of quality, it was a bargain at RM10 per kg.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fro1ku3qbkM/ThwgGLGTOSI/AAAAAAAAJBc/I3XYNDI-qPE/s1600/Durian.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fro1ku3qbkM/ThwgGLGTOSI/AAAAAAAAJBc/I3XYNDI-qPE/s400/Durian.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628408924736796962" border="0" /></a>It is not only the king of fruits but also the king of durians.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m0X2T1h_3vE/ThrYr8nOqwI/AAAAAAAAJAs/_ZHgr99W3nA/s1600/durian.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m0X2T1h_3vE/ThrYr8nOqwI/AAAAAAAAJAs/_ZHgr99W3nA/s400/durian.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628048933869497090" border="0" /></a>Enjoying durian on the wakaf.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDF2r1RNSrM/ThrZYTyf-II/AAAAAAAAJBU/F9sFKygrqAg/s1600/the%2Bwakaf.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDF2r1RNSrM/ThrZYTyf-II/AAAAAAAAJBU/F9sFKygrqAg/s400/the%2Bwakaf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628049696005027970" border="0" /></a>Dreaming of our own Bali styled Villa. Pak pin will realize the dream but me?<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eTHJnPujD98/ThrZYMzfsuI/AAAAAAAAJBE/5tleU9v5A1c/s1600/structure.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eTHJnPujD98/ThrZYMzfsuI/AAAAAAAAJBE/5tleU9v5A1c/s400/structure.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628049694130156258" border="0" /></a>Pak pin took this picture. Dunno which is his subject, the family members or the wakaf?<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7LtdWECVmk/ThrZYP22ilI/AAAAAAAAJBM/jsaS53tqhrA/s1600/The%2Bladies.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7LtdWECVmk/ThrZYP22ilI/AAAAAAAAJBM/jsaS53tqhrA/s400/The%2Bladies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628049694949542482" border="0" /></a>One for the album. from left, my wife Fatthiyah, Kamal's wife Safiah, Puan Aishah and her mother.<br /><br />We drove on to Pasir Mas as Pak Pin has something to do with ustaz Mat Zin, the owner of one of the top Malay jeweler in town. I won't be surprised if Pak Pin is going to open a jewelery outlet somewhere one day as everything this man touches seems to turn into Gold.<br />Pak Pin and Puan Aishah, thank you for the visit and gifts.http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2011/07/pakpayne-in-pasir-mas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-1846043914000452805Thu, 07 Jul 2011 04:14:00 +00002011-07-07T12:14:34.041+08:00FriendshipA Trip Down Memory Lane - Day 4<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lg-Gsq29Uwg/ThUfidq3iZI/AAAAAAAAJAc/tnTe3F2oTq0/s1600/KP4.jpg"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> 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name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} </style> <![endif]--> </a><p class="MsoNormal">FOURTH DAY</p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xa2bt6J_N_A/ThUeQqi1KTI/AAAAAAAAI_M/JRJXreCuHzE/s1600/Sri%2BGarden.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xa2bt6J_N_A/ThUeQqi1KTI/AAAAAAAAI_M/JRJXreCuHzE/s400/Sri%2BGarden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626436581116422450" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">Sri Garden Hotel Kangar.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We checked out of the hotel immediately after having our breakfast of nasi lemak at the hotel. Our inquiry with the receptionist indicated that even the more expensive rooms are equipped with the same bedding materials so we have no choice but to change hotel though I like the wifi facility so much.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our destination today is Gua Kelam along the way to Padang Besar. The place is quite easy to find with sufficient road signs to show us the way. Though we had known that Gua Kelam is closed for repair due to a severe flooding of the cave at the end of March 2011 we decided to see the place non the less. Gua Kelam is wet cave with a swiftly running stream through it coming from the other side of the limestone hillock which is part of the Nakawan Range. A wooden boardwalk had been built from one end to the other providing a lighted passageway across. The flood had damaged the wooden boardwalks and they are now under repair which should be completed soon. They are scheduled to open tomorrow! What luck! How I wish we could stay for another day to walk into the cave after it’s reopening.</p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rlt3QeDF7Gc/ThUdmQYywDI/AAAAAAAAI-8/guOcjJiAmiQ/s1600/GK8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rlt3QeDF7Gc/ThUdmQYywDI/AAAAAAAAI-8/guOcjJiAmiQ/s400/GK8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626435852540493874" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K3YWzhWrYLs/ThUc8b7tSrI/AAAAAAAAI-U/s2WK5FnYZoo/s1600/GK3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K3YWzhWrYLs/ThUc8b7tSrI/AAAAAAAAI-U/s2WK5FnYZoo/s400/GK3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626435134085221042" border="0" /></a>The entrance to the cave is at the end of the road and the 1000 steps to the top of the hillock is on the right of it.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FVRhkU49cjM/ThUc80zVrBI/AAAAAAAAI-c/FdpppcJH7VQ/s1600/GK4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FVRhkU49cjM/ThUc80zVrBI/AAAAAAAAI-c/FdpppcJH7VQ/s400/GK4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626435140761005074" border="0" /></a>The entrance with a river running through the whole cave system<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T1y4VcsmRek/ThUc9WG7bAI/AAAAAAAAI-k/qJhaha9vC_s/s1600/GK5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T1y4VcsmRek/ThUc9WG7bAI/AAAAAAAAI-k/qJhaha9vC_s/s400/GK5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626435149701540866" border="0" /></a>A peek into the darkness of the cave.<br /><p class="MsoNormal">There is also a gallery displaying artifacts found in another man made cave which was formed by tin miners. A mini train used to run from the top of the gallery to about 400 meters into the cave but the service was suspended after a serious accident happened when a group of youths rode it into the caves. According to the park ranger, the youths had behaved worse than monkeys that live around the area. The loaded train was being rocked by the youth riders to scare off their fellow riders. The carriage had broken off from the front driving loco which is made of a forklift driven by an electric motor. The coaches with the full load of passengers had ran backward slowing gaining momentum along the inclined rail and the riders had no way to jump down due to the tight space between the walls. The carriages stopped only when it hit the end steel barricade with more than sufficient force to injure some of them. Though no life was lost, the accident was serious enough for the park management to suspend the service.</p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8evbJXiwGMk/ThUdnG3nFxI/AAAAAAAAI_E/R-oxJVHrI3Y/s1600/GK9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8evbJXiwGMk/ThUdnG3nFxI/AAAAAAAAI_E/R-oxJVHrI3Y/s400/GK9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626435867165267730" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">The coaches of the train whose services is currently suspended.</p>The section of the river from the cave entrance to the Gallery is well landscaped and is an ideal place for picnics. Ample and well maintained shelters with seats are available.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dm4tPVFrygA/ThUdl1fNzeI/AAAAAAAAI-s/qmqdzbrsiqo/s1600/GK6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dm4tPVFrygA/ThUdl1fNzeI/AAAAAAAAI-s/qmqdzbrsiqo/s400/GK6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626435845319675362" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9680UrZCv6s/ThUc7xZBJ-I/AAAAAAAAI-E/RcZyK3pfA9I/s1600/GK1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9680UrZCv6s/ThUc7xZBJ-I/AAAAAAAAI-E/RcZyK3pfA9I/s400/GK1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626435122665433058" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YS_gin6eupE/ThUc8GYiPoI/AAAAAAAAI-M/GAoVRijsDSY/s1600/GK2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YS_gin6eupE/ThUc8GYiPoI/AAAAAAAAI-M/GAoVRijsDSY/s400/GK2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626435128300551810" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Fungi found growing at the base of a tree trunk.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For those agile and energetic enough can walk up the thousand steps for an exhilarating vista view from the top of the limestone outcrop. How I wish I am in my youths again to walk up those steps.</p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Zmli-T3wwU/ThUdmAogz5I/AAAAAAAAI-0/WZWUi45QGYc/s1600/GK7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Zmli-T3wwU/ThUdmAogz5I/AAAAAAAAI-0/WZWUi45QGYc/s400/GK7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626435848311459730" border="0" /></a><br />The wooden dulang found in the tin mine cave. This cave is purported to be the largest mining cave in the world.<p class="MsoNormal">We were told that there is a Pusat Latihan Khidmat Negara camp on the other side of the cave and we could drive over to the other side to see the opposite entrance via the camp. We were not keen to see the other entrance and decided to visit Wang Kelian instead.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Wang Kelian is another border entrance to Thailand. The road to Wang Kelian is via a torturous incline very much like the old route to Cameron Highlannds from Tapah. The only difference was it is being much shorter but much steeper accent.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Along the way we saw an uninhabited housing area which seems to be a big mistake for the developer. There is no sign to indicate who is the foolish developer. Another white elephant along the way was a bazaar with just a couple of shops being opened without a shopper in sight.<br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DfKWmAZcEF0/ThUeQ1PRcQI/AAAAAAAAI_U/ioRmuxJI44g/s1600/WK1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DfKWmAZcEF0/ThUeQ1PRcQI/AAAAAAAAI_U/ioRmuxJI44g/s400/WK1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626436583987179778" border="0" /></a>The immigration and custom checkpoint with a duty free shop beside it. We made the greatest mistake by not going beyond the check point as that was where the real Wang Kelian with it rows of shop houses is.<br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_iSpJwZlgMc/ThUeRX3Sl8I/AAAAAAAAI_c/a6U6jP9BhhI/s1600/WK2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_iSpJwZlgMc/ThUeRX3Sl8I/AAAAAAAAI_c/a6U6jP9BhhI/s400/WK2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626436593281832898" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">The white elephant with just two shops open. This bazaar may thrive occasionally when the peak tourist season that is the school holidays is on.</p>We returned to the main road to Padang Besar and headed straight for Padang Besar. <p class="MsoNormal">Just like Bukit Kayu Hitam, Padang Besar is a busy entry point to Malaysia not only for passenger vehicles but for good laden heavy vehicles.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We headed straight for the Bazaar where most outlets stock cheap goods from Thailand. Here you can find large ‘Deuter’<span style=""> </span>bag packs at below RM100. So are many other branded T shirts and shoes, all going for a song compared to the price for ‘originals’ displayed in many outlet in posh shopping complex. I doubt many of us could differentiate between the fakes and the originals and for all we know it maybe the same products.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I had a bowl of ‘pulut pauh’ glutinous rice with sweetened coconut milk accompanied by slices of sweet Thai mango at a warong beside the bazaar to tide my hunger.</p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R0T4X_Q1SJs/ThUeRrTK1qI/AAAAAAAAI_k/lVlSf6Bt-1M/s1600/WK3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R0T4X_Q1SJs/ThUeRrTK1qI/AAAAAAAAI_k/lVlSf6Bt-1M/s400/WK3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626436598499038882" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gNufPaIeit0/ThUeR12HSdI/AAAAAAAAI_s/ZwNxteh_PoU/s1600/PB1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gNufPaIeit0/ThUeR12HSdI/AAAAAAAAI_s/ZwNxteh_PoU/s400/PB1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626436601329961426" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">Inside the main bazaar.</p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1BXR_7rbBo0/ThUe9zoYe_I/AAAAAAAAI_0/p1nVd0wMuIU/s1600/PB2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1BXR_7rbBo0/ThUe9zoYe_I/AAAAAAAAI_0/p1nVd0wMuIU/s400/PB2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626437356649741298" border="0" /></a>As is in most border towns in Malaysia, the selling items are those that depict something from Thailand. In this instance it is Hard Rock Cafe, Bangkok. Why not Hard Rock Cafe Kuala Lumpur?<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOqfuTz0pmo/ThUe95p4DbI/AAAAAAAAI_8/rsTs2K2oLMk/s1600/PB3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOqfuTz0pmo/ThUe95p4DbI/AAAAAAAAI_8/rsTs2K2oLMk/s400/PB3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626437358266617266" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">Here branded 'Deuter' backpack costing below RM100 are available.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We returned to our car to drive back to Kangar. Along the way we stopped at Tasoh Resort. This resort is located on the fringe of the Timah Tasoh Reservoir, a splendid resort but in a state of degradation. I guess poor business is depriving this resort from retaining its splendour and glory. A restaurant by the lake side shows signs that it is only operational in the evening.</p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--t3Cg15jMkI/ThUe-N5LlZI/AAAAAAAAJAE/THGwy1lX5_0/s1600/PB4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--t3Cg15jMkI/ThUe-N5LlZI/AAAAAAAAJAE/THGwy1lX5_0/s400/PB4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626437363699520914" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Passing through Kangar, we drove onward to Kuala Perlis to check on a hotel that is offering rooms at a promotional rate of RM98 per night without breakfast. We had a slight problem locating the hotel as it did not display any name on the rear of the building though it was clearly visible from the town.<br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lg-Gsq29Uwg/ThUfidq3iZI/AAAAAAAAJAc/tnTe3F2oTq0/s1600/KP4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 401px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lg-Gsq29Uwg/ThUfidq3iZI/AAAAAAAAJAc/tnTe3F2oTq0/s400/KP4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626437986409744786" border="0" /></a>Putra Berasmana Hotel, nice room with a nice view but poor wifi.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IfwN_xk-Usk/ThUe-udScNI/AAAAAAAAJAM/ph1F1cl7NkU/s1600/KP1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IfwN_xk-Usk/ThUe-udScNI/AAAAAAAAJAM/ph1F1cl7NkU/s400/KP1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626437372440899794" border="0" /></a>I should have checked this small hotel which claim to provide bedsheet with 280 thread count and not only wifi but wired internet. Their standard room cost only RM85 during off peak season.<br /><p class="MsoNormal">The wifi connection at Putra Berasmana Hotel was bad. I couldn’t get any access at all though the wifi connection strength was OK. With that failure, I decided to rest my tired body. The lack of sleep the previous night due to poor bedding clearly showed it on the both of us.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">After a shower and a nap and it was still early afternoon, we decided to visit a family friend in Arau which is about 20 kms from Kuala Perlis. Tuan Haji Shuib and Puan Latifah was on an Umrah package with us in April 2011. Tuan Haji Shuib had to be admitted to a hospital in Mecca when he vomited blood after performing the Shaie. He was suspected to be suffering from stomach ulcer. By the time we finished our Umrah, Tuan haji Shuib had recovered pretty well to travel back to Malaysia where his children took him to a private hospital in Damansara for further treatment.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We reached Arau and purposefully stopped in front of Istana Arau and called Tuan Haji Shuib. He told us to wait there as he will arrive in 14 minutes. Half an hour later we reached Haji Shuib’s residence in Taman Jejawi mere 5 kms away from Kangar! We should have contacted Tuan Haji Shuib while we were in Kangar which we didn’t. Taman Jejawi is located between Kangar and Arau in the district of Arau.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We had so much to talk about and Tuan Haji Shuib who was a former teacher and headmaster had so much to share about his teaching<span style=""> </span>days.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My request to take leave to return to my hotel in Kuala Perlis was vetoed out as he wanted us to take to dinner at a nearby restaurant a short distance from his home. Puan Latipah was fasting for that day. Steamed siakap, chicken tomyam, beef soup<span style=""> </span>and fried egg stuffed with some condiments was extremely delicious.<br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oGLwezlbHTo/ThUe_QQLAOI/AAAAAAAAJAU/4OX1v-FqtZ0/s1600/KP3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oGLwezlbHTo/ThUe_QQLAOI/AAAAAAAAJAU/4OX1v-FqtZ0/s400/KP3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626437381512691938" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal">We left for our hotel immediately after dinner. Tonight we need all the rest we could get to prepare for tomorrow which will be a drive to Prai with a stopover at Tuan Haji Zakaria’s place in Gurun.</p>http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2011/07/trip-down-memory-lane-day-4.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-9117125517750128302Tue, 05 Jul 2011 06:07:00 +00002013-06-13T08:55:20.384+08:00FriendshipA Trip Down Memory Lane - Day 2 and 3Day 2<br /><div class="MsoNormal">We booked our hotel room at Sentosa Regency Room in Alor Setar online via Agoda the hotel booking site while we were in Pasir Mas. I have come to trust Agoda as the provider of the cheapest booking site and managed to get our room at RM108 per night, inclusive of tax the total came to RM275 for two nights averaging RM137.50. So when we checked in, our room was there.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sentosa Regency Hotel Alor Setar is within the town area and has a very large room and an equally large bathroom attached to it. They could easily have halved the size of the bathroom and saved on space. I wonder why the architect didn’t think of that when they design the hotel rooms. Anyway I have no complain about the room other than that the wifi failed me on the second day. I guess there was line congestion as there was a course going on at that hotel on the second day of my stay.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our plan for the second day in Alor Setar was to do Bukit Kayu Hitam in the morning and do the Pekan Rabu in the afternoon. Later in the evening we had a friend Tuan haji Zakaria and his wife joining us for dinner. Tuan Haji Zakaria and Kak Asmah had been with us on our European Tour sometime in 2011 and were very happy when we informed them that we will be in their state of Kedah. Though they live in Gurun further south, they were willing to come down to Alor Setar to meet us.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The visit to Bukit Kayu Hitam.</div><div class="MsoNormal">When we lived in Felda Sungai Tiang in 1980, the shortest way back to Kelantan from Kedah was via the border check point of Bukit Kayu Hitam through Thailand. After Bukit Kayu Hitam, we wiill pass by Sadao, Patani, exiting at Sungai Golok and Rantau Panjang in Kelantan is just across the river. The other way hoe was via the East West Highway and off course we had to negotiate the torturous climbs and turns before reaching the highway entrance somewhere near Grik. So the route via Thailand was more of our choice especially when we have other friend going to Kelantan to keep us company.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQBcEJxSDsI/ThEVIg-8LxI/AAAAAAAAI5M/Sy0WArdicJU/s1600/BKHitam.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625300645599522578" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-eQBcEJxSDsI/ThEVIg-8LxI/AAAAAAAAI5M/Sy0WArdicJU/s400/BKHitam.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Present day Bukit Kayu Hitam before the immigration and custom complex.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Bukit Kayu Hitam of today is much developed. Though it wasn't really much to see there, reading about glorious duty free shopping in the local travel magazine Libur that incensed my other half into wanting to visit this border town and I was just accommodating her wish to go there.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhiyENXFZs0/ThEVIZZbhkI/AAAAAAAAI5E/pgwUaLR4tlk/s1600/BazaarMDKP.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625300643563144770" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-vhiyENXFZs0/ThEVIZZbhkI/AAAAAAAAI5E/pgwUaLR4tlk/s400/BazaarMDKP.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Bazaar Majlis Daerah Kubang Pasu.</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xI2vaI2WwGk/ThEWmqwvprI/AAAAAAAAI58/rnMX2vEpwr8/s1600/Merchandize.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625302263132038834" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-xI2vaI2WwGk/ThEWmqwvprI/AAAAAAAAI58/rnMX2vEpwr8/s400/Merchandize.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Hardly a soul inside the bazaar. I guess we were there too early.<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iiHR3JeHvoE/ThEVJW6KZSI/AAAAAAAAI5k/SIAnxtxMdY4/s1600/Duty%2BFree%2Bshop.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625300660074997026" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-iiHR3JeHvoE/ThEVJW6KZSI/AAAAAAAAI5k/SIAnxtxMdY4/s400/Duty%2BFree%2Bshop.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Duty Free outlet.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5S_zITXOYIQ/ThEUE8XozVI/AAAAAAAAI48/dP_dSto6Cew/s1600/BazaarBKH.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625299484719762770" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-5S_zITXOYIQ/ThEUE8XozVI/AAAAAAAAI48/dP_dSto6Cew/s400/BazaarBKH.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Bought a folding mosquito net as a token purchase at an equally visitorless BazaarBukit Kayu Hitam.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LXDWu9Ftijc/ThEVJE2Ds5I/AAAAAAAAI5U/6WFQ7TPAd5s/s1600/double%2Blorries.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625300655225942930" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-LXDWu9Ftijc/ThEVJE2Ds5I/AAAAAAAAI5U/6WFQ7TPAd5s/s400/double%2Blorries.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Extended lorries bringing in cattles from Thailand. Such lorries must be more cost effective as only a single engine can transfer double the load.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since it wasn’t the tourist season, we found the bazaars and duty free shops in Bukit Kayu Hitam to be deserted. In the end we didn’t buy much to justify the visit to this town. Before noon we headed back to Alor Setar for a simple lunch at Pekan Rabu and some small shopping. Here I found a mortar and pestle made of marble which I wanted to use as a decorative item.</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-km2EDKyAhQc/ThEXWOmFzcI/AAAAAAAAI60/oiVkypwPpIQ/s1600/pekan%2Brabu.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625303080204881346" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-km2EDKyAhQc/ThEXWOmFzcI/AAAAAAAAI60/oiVkypwPpIQ/s400/pekan%2Brabu.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a>The staircases of Pekan Rabu<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TYqGwFL2tRo/ThEUD60ekaI/AAAAAAAAI4c/BW0MoJmTyio/s1600/barang%2Bpekan%2Brabu.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625299467123986850" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-TYqGwFL2tRo/ThEUD60ekaI/AAAAAAAAI4c/BW0MoJmTyio/s400/barang%2Bpekan%2Brabu.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Inside Pekan Rabu.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VmdyDpn2oco/ThEWmrxJZXI/AAAAAAAAI50/IREGQF2nQOQ/s1600/mat%2Bkelantan.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625302263402161522" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-VmdyDpn2oco/ThEWmrxJZXI/AAAAAAAAI50/IREGQF2nQOQ/s400/mat%2Bkelantan.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Mat Kelantan doing business in Pekan Rabu Kedah.</div>Our friend Haji Zakaria and spouse came to our hotel to pick us up in the afternoon. After a short drive around town we ended up at Zakaria Laksa Telok Kechai on the road to Kuala Kedah for our first taste of Kedah Laksa. The similarity in name was just coincidental. Though my friend Haji Zakaria wanted us to try the special mee udang, we just can’t wait to savour laksa Kedah since we didn’t manage to do it on the first day. I did a second helping and insisted on some cut up chilly padi as the first plate was devoid of the zing of hot chili padi that should be the real taste of laksa.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uBzheoTL0y0/ThEWmWysM-I/AAAAAAAAI5s/iJXIhmj95SM/s1600/Laksa%2Btelok%2Bkechai.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625302257771492322" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-uBzheoTL0y0/ThEWmWysM-I/AAAAAAAAI5s/iJXIhmj95SM/s400/Laksa%2Btelok%2Bkechai.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The name of the eatery was just coincidental.<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-asHKTHOe6SE/ThEeJAXUhjI/AAAAAAAAI68/jTCwDyg618w/s1600/Hj%2BZakaria%2Bn%2Bwife.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625310549627930162" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-asHKTHOe6SE/ThEeJAXUhjI/AAAAAAAAI68/jTCwDyg618w/s400/Hj%2BZakaria%2Bn%2Bwife.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Tuan Haji Zakaria and Kak Asmah sandwiched between yours truly and wife Fatthiyah.</div>Haji Zakaria drove us back to town showing us the location of a few more tourist sites for us to visit including Rumah Tun Mahathir Mohamad along Jalan Pegawai, the new State Secretariat and the gem of all gems, Gunung Keriang where the Muzium Padi is located. Muzium padi is a must visit for anybody coming to Alor Star. Along the way we stopped at a small village where the locals collect crystal rocks from the many caves of Gunung Keriang. These lumps of crystals ranging in size from a few inches to a few feet are set up in glazed clayware as decorative pieces. Thay are beautiful and are much sought after by visitors. They range in price from a few ringgit to several hundreds depending on size and beauty. Though I dislike the idea of defacing the beautiful caves, they have constributed to the locals as a mean of earning some income from tourism. Without it, they have nothing much to gain from the tourism industry.<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YJVN5PoZiNE/ThEWnqr38WI/AAAAAAAAI6M/xcqePTKaHvE/s1600/Mesjid%2Bjalan%2Bpegawai1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625302280291479906" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-YJVN5PoZiNE/ThEWnqr38WI/AAAAAAAAI6M/xcqePTKaHvE/s400/Mesjid%2Bjalan%2Bpegawai1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">We stopped at this mosque along Jalan Pegawai for Asar prayers.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625303070976807170" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ebpk8BM2iis/ThEXVsN8kQI/AAAAAAAAI6s/Emzt_NIv-78/s400/Pekan%2BCina.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Pekan Melayu on the right and Pekan Cina on the left.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We entered the old Alor Setar town passing under an arch with an indication that Pekan Cina is on the left and Pekan Melayu is on the right. I didn't manage to check whether there are still Malays plying their trade in that section. Tuan haji Zakaria told me that there is a small budget hotel there belonging to a Malay.</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YJVN5PoZiNE/ThEWnqr38WI/AAAAAAAAI6M/xcqePTKaHvE/s1600/Mesjid%2Bjalan%2Bpegawai1.jpg"><br /></a><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fFEf_LXjsXg/ThEXVKpH-kI/AAAAAAAAI6U/APMl-1kGZ1I/s1600/Mesjid%2BZakhir.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625303061963995714" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-fFEf_LXjsXg/ThEXVKpH-kI/AAAAAAAAI6U/APMl-1kGZ1I/s400/Mesjid%2BZakhir.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Mesjid Zakhir in the midst of Alor Setar town.</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXPkvZ9I_0w/ThEXVem3Y-I/AAAAAAAAI6k/KXmtNk6cHec/s1600/Paper%2Bcutting.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625303067323229154" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-dXPkvZ9I_0w/ThEXVem3Y-I/AAAAAAAAI6k/KXmtNk6cHec/s400/Paper%2Bcutting.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a>A newspaper cutout about the crystals found at Gunung Kerian and it was displayed at one of the stalls.<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j05EJgwP_zg/ThEUEYlWmfI/AAAAAAAAI4s/LxHkIWfi1Z8/s1600/Batu%2BCrystal.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625299475113613810" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-j05EJgwP_zg/ThEUEYlWmfI/AAAAAAAAI4s/LxHkIWfi1Z8/s400/Batu%2BCrystal.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Some crystals of brownish hue.</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIxgjXGzVmU/ThEUEjkn0uI/AAAAAAAAI40/qnHEW7ejio4/s1600/Batu%2BCrystal1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625299478063338210" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-wIxgjXGzVmU/ThEUEjkn0uI/AAAAAAAAI40/qnHEW7ejio4/s400/Batu%2BCrystal1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>White Crystals<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h9WBCvj3QN4/ThEUEBCxATI/AAAAAAAAI4k/CYval2wleDY/s1600/batu%2Bcrystal%2Bset.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625299468794528050" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-h9WBCvj3QN4/ThEUEBCxATI/AAAAAAAAI4k/CYval2wleDY/s400/batu%2Bcrystal%2Bset.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Crytals mounted in a flat shallow vase with crystal chippings at the base.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vYlPadbmO18/ThEXVcQffDI/AAAAAAAAI6c/yOdoG9m_uh4/s1600/muzium%2Bpadi%2Bfrom%2Bafar.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625303066692516914" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-vYlPadbmO18/ThEXVcQffDI/AAAAAAAAI6c/yOdoG9m_uh4/s400/muzium%2Bpadi%2Bfrom%2Bafar.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The Muzium Padi from afar.<br /><div class="MsoNormal">When we reached Muzium Padi, it was way past the visiting hours. Given the immense size of the building and Haji Zakaria’s insistence that the place is worth a visit, we were determined to come back on our own the next day.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We parted ways with Tuan haji Zakaria and Kak Asmah after they dropped us off at our hotel with the promise that we will be calling on them at their house in Gurun on our way to Penang after doing Perlis.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We slept early on the second night at the hotel as I failed to get an internet access though I had an excellent connection with the wireless router. I guess the lines at the hotel was congested. 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mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} </style> <![endif]--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">We rise early for the Subuh prayers and continue with our sleep after performing the prayers. By 8.00 AM we were down for our complimentary breakfast. Breakfast was great except for the lack of fresh juice because the hotel only provided cordial drink and soya bean juice which wasn’t my choice.</div><div class="MsoNormal">By 9.00 AM we were already checked out.</div><div class="MsoNormal">While we were in Felda Sungai Tiang, Cikgu Mahathir had told us that their former headmaster at Sekolah Kebangsaan Felda Sungai Tiang is still alive and living in Alor Setar near a Chinese School along the road to Kuala Kedah. The way to locate his house is to look for a green roofed house.</div><div class="MsoNormal">True enough there were two green houses. The first one was the wrong house as the two young kids left at home by their parents couldn't recall the name of their grandparents. Unfortunately when we arrived at the second green roofed house, nobody was in the house. I was confident that it was the residence of Cikgu Hashim but he was not in. We were on the verge of walking to our car when a car drove into the house compound. We could immediately recognize it was Cikgu Hashim though he couldn't recognize any of us even after getting a hug from me.</div><div class="MsoNormal">His wife Kak Yam was away at their daughters place as the daughter is still in confinement.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yyMv5ev3Gqc/ThExJ8MMKWI/AAAAAAAAI7U/xSE8unqSxXs/s1600/Cikgu%2BHashim.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625331456408299874" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-yyMv5ev3Gqc/ThExJ8MMKWI/AAAAAAAAI7U/xSE8unqSxXs/s400/Cikgu%2BHashim.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Fatthiyah with her former headmaster.</div>Though he is already 80 years old, frail looking Cikgu hashim is in the best of health and devoid of such ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease or kidney problem often associated with the elderly. His secret to good health? He lives a frugal life. Using his own words "saya makan macam orang miskin".(He eats like a pauper) He eats little and avoiding the fatty food. He will buy the freshest fish that are yet to added with preservative such as formaldehyde which is becoming a common practice among fishmongers. He will try as far as possible to eat chemical free vegetables and fruits by buying the worst looking ones in terms of pest attack for leafy vegetables and the smallest watermelon for fear that the big ones are chemical laden from the heavy use of fertilizers.<br /><br />After another hug, we took leave telling him that we are heading for Kangar Perlis with a stopover Kg. Sungai Baru where Gunung Keriang and Muzium PADI is located. Cikgu Hashim specifically told us to look for Alor Janggus and take the right turn but we took an earlier turn when we saw the sign showing Gunung Keriang.<br /><br />Upon reaching Gunung Keriang, we headed for the Gunung Keriang recreational park with the intention of buying some crystals which we didn't buy when we visited the place with Haji Zakaria earlier. This time we bought a piece together with a kilogram of the white crystal chippings.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X94SFjpa2YI/ThKW8exucPI/AAAAAAAAI9M/BSwy_Yae9lo/s1600/crystal.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625724850337116402" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-X94SFjpa2YI/ThKW8exucPI/AAAAAAAAI9M/BSwy_Yae9lo/s400/crystal.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Upon returning home to Pasir Mas this is how the crystal look.<br /><br />Muzium Padi is on the other side of Gunung Keriang. A short drive took us there.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qs-D7tNDQac/ThEyx9q-6yI/AAAAAAAAI8k/pK5niDjDx4I/s1600/selamat%2Bdatang.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625333243512285986" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-qs-D7tNDQac/ThEyx9q-6yI/AAAAAAAAI8k/pK5niDjDx4I/s400/selamat%2Bdatang.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HWUtnZhXofY/ThEyx1rZgkI/AAAAAAAAI8c/s-c3_vwvnpo/s1600/Puncak%2BGunung.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625333241366544962" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-HWUtnZhXofY/ThEyx1rZgkI/AAAAAAAAI8c/s-c3_vwvnpo/s400/Puncak%2BGunung.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The spiral cavelike staircase to the top of 'Gunung Keriang'<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gT9s43aszdM/ThEzXHKMQ5I/AAAAAAAAI88/LL-kKrUeMiI/s1600/view%2Bof%2Bhillock.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625333881714262930" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-gT9s43aszdM/ThEzXHKMQ5I/AAAAAAAAI88/LL-kKrUeMiI/s400/view%2Bof%2Bhillock.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The view from 'the top of Gunung Keriang' based on the paintings by some North Koran artists.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1COCEsM1Awg/ThExJq7_6FI/AAAAAAAAI7M/o5LyDEnsM9E/s1600/benih%2Bpadi.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625331451776985170" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-1COCEsM1Awg/ThExJq7_6FI/AAAAAAAAI7M/o5LyDEnsM9E/s400/benih%2Bpadi.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Padi seed samples from all over the world is displayed.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sCvbC-P3LYk/ThExKQlisWI/AAAAAAAAI7c/KX83FsZ0Oi8/s1600/equipments.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625331461883343202" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-sCvbC-P3LYk/ThExKQlisWI/AAAAAAAAI7c/KX83FsZ0Oi8/s400/equipments.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Equipments related to rice production on display.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_jnhyyHAFE/ThEx7eYMRHI/AAAAAAAAI8M/ByHrAS_-ADY/s1600/Painting%2Bof%2Bscenes.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625332307399033970" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-P_jnhyyHAFE/ThEx7eYMRHI/AAAAAAAAI8M/ByHrAS_-ADY/s400/Painting%2Bof%2Bscenes.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Scenes of the rice growing areas in Kedah painted by some Koran artists.<br /><div class="MsoNormal">After the muzium padi we headed to our next destination, Kangar Perlis by passing the Pusat Sains nearby the Muzium Padi.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We didn’t do any prior booking of any room in Kangar assuming that rooms in Kangar are easy to come by. Right smack in town we saw this hotel by the name of Sri Garden Hotel with a vacant parking bay right by its entrance. We booked into a room and since I irequested for a room with very strong wifi signal, I was given room 103 with the wifi router right smack opposite the room door. Connection was very good and I was very happy with it.</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2__Umg9bXto/ThKlYt0aS0I/AAAAAAAAI98/3ReEFOer7-I/s1600/Sri%2BGarden.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625740728574036802" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-2__Umg9bXto/ThKlYt0aS0I/AAAAAAAAI98/3ReEFOer7-I/s400/Sri%2BGarden.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal">The Sri Garden Hotel where we stayed on the first day in Kangar.</div>That afternoon we decided to visit Taman Ular in Sungai Batu Pahat. The famous harum manis mango farm was also along the way so it will be like hitting two birds with one stone. Harum Manis is the best local variety of mango in term of sweetness, texture and color. Unfortunately it was past its season which ended in mid June. I can’t find a single fruit to taste and I was later told by a friend that if there is any harum manis on sale, they are not the true variety they they are being sold at an astronomical price of RM15 per kg.<br /><div class="MsoNormal">On the way to Taman Ular Fatthiyah remembered Cikgu Mahathir from Sungai Tiang telling us to visit Cikgu Asmah who had opened up a Kopitiam by the name of MaiCafe. He said it was easy to find if I could locate Mesjid Putra on the right side of the road after taking the road to Padang Besar. MaiCafe was visible immediately after we made the turn to the right. Asmah and Fatthiyah had stayed together in the bachelors quarters together with another two friends during her teaching days in Felda Sungai Tiang. When I changed job and relocated to Besut, Trengganu, her transfer couldn’t be effected immediately and she had to stay on till the end of the year, while I left Sungai Tiang with the three young children. </div><div class="MsoNormal">We were invited to dinner and agreed to visit the cafe by 7.00 PM.</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-idwD0m_gMm0/ThEx7NgkhGI/AAAAAAAAI8E/TLwdQ98hPQI/s1600/maicafe.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625332302870774882" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-idwD0m_gMm0/ThEx7NgkhGI/AAAAAAAAI8E/TLwdQ98hPQI/s400/maicafe.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Upon reaching Taman Ular, we were quite surprised to see quite a sizable number of visitors there given that it wasn’t really the tourist season and it was a Wednesday. Some minor renovations were going on with a covered walkway with concrete paving being constructed. This is something good really. We did the gallery and were amazed at both the living and preserved specimen on display. With excellent write up, we learn more about these reptiles and thus recommend to all visitors as a must see on anybody’s visit list to Perlis.</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ae27sP-PPsI/ThEyygSbonI/AAAAAAAAI8s/zzEzg9Cw4ao/s1600/Taman%2BUlar.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625333252804551282" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ae27sP-PPsI/ThEyygSbonI/AAAAAAAAI8s/zzEzg9Cw4ao/s400/Taman%2BUlar.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The entrance to Taman Ular.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zM6XYy5OCcA/ThEyxgRMQBI/AAAAAAAAI8U/wL43aGeaNlM/s1600/preserved%2Bspecimen.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625333235619479570" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-zM6XYy5OCcA/ThEyxgRMQBI/AAAAAAAAI8U/wL43aGeaNlM/s400/preserved%2Bspecimen.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Preserved specimen in the gallery.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FbXAmJf17q8/ThEx6XrB6lI/AAAAAAAAI70/YlKLxrI2owM/s1600/live%2Bspecimen.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625332288419129938" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-FbXAmJf17q8/ThEx6XrB6lI/AAAAAAAAI70/YlKLxrI2owM/s400/live%2Bspecimen.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Live specimen of an albino python<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Xgo8FZ0wdc/ThEx6RxXzHI/AAAAAAAAI7s/E-pzwI5Yu3g/s1600/live%2Bin%2Bhut.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625332286835117170" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-7Xgo8FZ0wdc/ThEx6RxXzHI/AAAAAAAAI7s/E-pzwI5Yu3g/s400/live%2Bin%2Bhut.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Live King Cobra in their hut.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WcYRDmKvYwk/ThExKvqm8LI/AAAAAAAAI7k/bqdnNNKowgk/s1600/landscape.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625331470226092210" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-WcYRDmKvYwk/ThExKvqm8LI/AAAAAAAAI7k/bqdnNNKowgk/s400/landscape.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>A beautiful lansdsape pond with a few kois in pool.<br /><div class="MsoNormal">It was 6.45 PM when we left the hotel for MaiCafe located near Mesjid Putra. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Asmah was there to greet us. It was a sight to see as old friends get to meet again after 30 years. Cikgu Mahathir had told us that Asmah had been asking about Fatthiyah and this visit was just like an answer to her callings.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kBm9Y0FaFh8/ThKlMdoZJEI/AAAAAAAAI9U/7U0ceDbUU1E/s1600/asmah.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625740518070232130" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-kBm9Y0FaFh8/ThKlMdoZJEI/AAAAAAAAI9U/7U0ceDbUU1E/s400/asmah.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Two old friends meeting again after 30 years.</div><div class="MsoNormal">MaiCafe is tastefully decorated. The owner had traveled extensively to find ideas for the décor of the place. The husband did much of the décor himself had saved MaiCafe with lots of expenses. Though the café is an open air café, an air-conditioned section is available for those who wants privacy. With 2 experienced chefs working with her and a total work force of 21 staffs, MaiCafe is in serious business in the food business. One of the chefs is an ex Sheraton chain of hotels who prefer to work in Kangar than the world capitals even at lower pay, MaiCafe can only prosper. Their prices are way below the price of the same if they were to be served in the five star hotels. Even the Perlis Royalties who incidentally own the premise dines at MaiCafe which serve authentic western dishes using the finest china and cutlery. The chef had insisted that only the premise and price can be different but the food and presentation must be the same as those that are served at any Sheraton Hotels. So there you are, the best at less than half the price.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kBm9Y0FaFh8/ThKlMdoZJEI/AAAAAAAAI9U/7U0ceDbUU1E/s1600/asmah.jpg"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-89BSzT-gjkk/ThKlM-ZIBRI/AAAAAAAAI9s/ShtGs6ja3ek/s1600/ID.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625740526864565522" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-89BSzT-gjkk/ThKlM-ZIBRI/AAAAAAAAI9s/ShtGs6ja3ek/s400/ID.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Unique interior decoration for MaiCafe.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xZGf_KVywNY/ThKlMyaDizI/AAAAAAAAI9k/sNjElhFe4H8/s1600/Chicken%2Bdish.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625740523647241010" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-xZGf_KVywNY/ThKlMyaDizI/AAAAAAAAI9k/sNjElhFe4H8/s400/Chicken%2Bdish.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The chicken dish recconmended by Asmah for Fatthiyah while I dug in my delicious lamb chop in black pepper sauce.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I1SlZ-QawkU/ThKlNtskjNI/AAAAAAAAI90/arUs4rBR-CY/s1600/Syafic.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625740539562593490" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-I1SlZ-QawkU/ThKlNtskjNI/AAAAAAAAI90/arUs4rBR-CY/s400/Syafic.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Khairul Syafic is the manager while the younger brother is the assistant. Both are graduates but prefer to be in business rather than be stuck to a 9 to 5 jobs.</div><div class="MsoNormal">For reservations please call the manager Khairul Syafic bin Baharudin at 012-4199772 who incidentally is Puan Asmah’s son together with another brother who chose to work there immediately after their graduation from courses in Accountancy and the other in Business Management.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Cikgu Asmah, thanks for the dinner.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We didn’t have a good rest at the hotel that night. The stiff spring bed didn’t help as the covering material was too thin and we could feel the steel spring on our body. We decided to change hotels the next day.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2011/07/trip-down-memory-lane-day-2-and-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-9110874831547809911Mon, 04 Jul 2011 09:15:00 +00002011-07-04T17:20:15.355+08:00PaintingsThe Painting For Mr. Dominic Singh<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tarCqT_iddw/ThGFDwiFjeI/AAAAAAAAI9E/jvTrtX4IBRY/s1600/Koifordominic.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tarCqT_iddw/ThGFDwiFjeI/AAAAAAAAI9E/jvTrtX4IBRY/s400/Koifordominic.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625423709176434146" border="0" /></a>I have been requested to do a painting of some Japanese kois for a Mr. Dominic Singh from Bank Negara Malaysia via my son Azuan who works with him. Mr. Dominic Singh, your painting is now framed and ready for delivery. In the mean time just enjoy the picture of it.http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2011/07/painting-for-mr-dominic-singh.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-3283702438325481913Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:03:00 +00002011-06-29T18:05:30.094+08:00FriendshipA Trip Down Memory Lane - Day 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4cbQGvh4Jg/TgrCEGYteGI/AAAAAAAAI38/PKdGtEPqJHE/s1600/Safian.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4cbQGvh4Jg/TgrCEGYteGI/AAAAAAAAI38/PKdGtEPqJHE/s400/Safian.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623520460415006818" border="0" /></a>Meeting an old friend again after 39 years. Ahmad Saffian and me having dinner at a food court in Alor Setar.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfuk-TYupms/TgrAk-nJ7iI/AAAAAAAAI28/v05esWLKq-M/s1600/Abandoned%2Bhouse.jpg"><br /></a><br />Thirty years ago I was the manager of a Felda settlement known as Felda Sungai Tiang located some 30 km from Pendang, Kedah. It was one of the early land schemes by Felda as it was opened in 1960 with about 520 settlers covering an area of approximately 4,000 acres planted with rubber. When I first set foot in the land scheme, I was just 30 years old while the majority of the settlers were already in their mid fifties and some of the settlers had already passed away.<br />I left the job for greener pasture in 1981 and relocated my family of three young children with my teacher wife to Besut, Treangganu where my family increase by another one member with the birth of another daughter. At the time of leaving Felda Sungai Tiang, the rubber trees belonging to the settlers had reached the end of it's economic life and there were not much bark left for the trees to be tapped. Some lots have lost their stand due to diseases or fire which is a normal hazard during the dry period and the dry leaves that gathered at the base of the trees were tinder dry and all it take was a careless act of throwing a lighted cigarette to start a fire and scorch the base of the trees. The fire may not kill the trees immediately but the weakened trees will be exposed to attack by other diseases that attack the roots or the branches and by pest such as termites.<br />Replanting is a time of hardship for the settlers as their source of income will be severely reduced. Those who have the foresight to plant their 2 acres of orchards with rubber had a buffer during the 6 years gestation period before the replanted trees could be tapped and provide a new income for the family.<br />Now 30 years on, I came back to Felda Sungai Tiang to witness another similar cycle of the need to replant since the replanted trees had come to the end of their economic life again. Another time of hardship awaits them. This time it was the turn of the second generation settlers as most of the original settlers had passed on.<br />We had left Pasir Mas around 9 AM in our more than 7 years old Toyota Vios to visit the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia. This is probably our last drive to the states of Kedah, Perlis and Penang as health wise driving such long distance may not be suitable for people like me whose birthday cakes will be lit with 6 large candles plus a few of the smaller ones. So I will have to make the most of this trip.<br />The trip from Pasir Mas was quite uneventful until when we passed Jeli and had begun the climb on the Titiwangsa Range. A car overtaking a long heavy leaden lorry both moving downhill at a dangerous corner had swerved into my path. Fortunately for me I was driving quite slowly and managed to swerve to the road shoulder to avoid a direct head on collision. Some drivers are just careless.<br />We stopped at Banding Island to break journey. The place I used to know as Banding Island Resort is no more there. Either a new management has taken over or they have renamed the place.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4kw4xl3hwWs/TgrCEoxZDuI/AAAAAAAAI4E/Faf1RegqISU/s1600/SiDai.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 237px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4kw4xl3hwWs/TgrCEoxZDuI/AAAAAAAAI4E/Faf1RegqISU/s400/SiDai.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623520469645332194" border="0" /></a><br />Looking up I saw this name below.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CaHsEs1JbaQ/TgrAlUmXWEI/AAAAAAAAI3M/07UR5i8F1FI/s1600/Emkay.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CaHsEs1JbaQ/TgrAlUmXWEI/AAAAAAAAI3M/07UR5i8F1FI/s400/Emkay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623518832142800962" border="0" /></a>Could Emkay be the new owner?<br /><br />The rest of the journey was uneventful. Our only problem was in identifying the routes to be taken to reach our destination. As is normal with Malaysian road system, road signages are very sparse. When you see a road sign at a junction, it could be the last sign and missing a junction can only mean a u turn is necessary.<br />Roads to the west coast have improved tremendously over the past thirty years. They are much more straighter, level, wider and better surfaced and thus driving was quite a pleasure.<br />We had a sumptous lunch of Kelantanese dish at an R n R after by passing Grik as the road to Alor Setar need not go through Grik. It was a Kelantanese fare replete with budu, ikan tawar and ulam which both of us took it with gusto. My wife had an extra dish of her favourite boiled cockles while mine was another plate of angled loofah with pumpkin cooked in coconut milk.<br />Our next destination was Jeniang. After Jeniang we took the Kalai junction to reach Felda Sungai Tiang.<br />Heavy rain accompanied us to Sungai Tiang all the way from Kalai. It was unabated and we reached our friend Cikgu Mahathir's house. It was easy to locate his house as we were told to look for the biggest bungalow next to a bridal saloon. After giving numerous unanswered 'salams', I was on the verge of giving up when I saw movement from within the unlit house. My lucky day as at least one of them is home since I can guess for sure Cikgu Mahathir was not in. Cikgu Umi Kalsom the wife of Cikgu Mahathir, came to the door and after telling her my wife's name who was her colleague when teaching together in Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Tiang, the door was opened wide for us to enter the spacious house.<br />True enough, Cikgu Mahathir was not in as he was in Alor Setar over a business. A quick call confirmed that he was on the way back and should reach the house in a while. Five mintes later, I was hugging Cikgu Mahathir, a man I had not seen since I last left Felda Sungai Tiang.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaUTB1-vPj8/TgrCDVbd2fI/AAAAAAAAI3k/hGtcte6XWhc/s1600/Mahathir.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaUTB1-vPj8/TgrCDVbd2fI/AAAAAAAAI3k/hGtcte6XWhc/s400/Mahathir.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623520447273228786" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RrgGsXALYJ8/TgrCvMvcc7I/AAAAAAAAI4M/ZfJT8WDiqCI/s1600/Umi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RrgGsXALYJ8/TgrCvMvcc7I/AAAAAAAAI4M/ZfJT8WDiqCI/s400/Umi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623521200855348146" border="0" /></a><br />Cikgu Mahathir was the local youth movement leader when I was in Sungai Tiang and we had the same idealism to improve the lot of the people there with me on the authority's side and him on the people's side. Unfortunately my tenure with Felda was short lived and I left Sungai Tiang with just a minute but indelible impression.<br />There was so much to talk with Cikgu Mahathir as we updated each other and relived some of the old memories we had in Sungai Tiang. He is now as he was before, a very active person in politics and now contemplating standing up for election as a candidate for the state constituency in the coming General Election though his wife Umi was not really happy with the idea. I believe she was happy enough as they are but a man will do what a man wants to do and my guess is he will pursue his dream to be The Yang Berhormat as he will be leaving to Kuala Lumpur to meet up with a certain Federal leader.<br />The rain had abated and I left his home to visit a settler who was close to me when I was serving in Felda Sungai Tiang. His name was Haji Wan Ee and at 66 years Haji Wan Ee can be considered as very healthy. He attributed his health is maintained by constant activities working in his rubber plot and enjoyed his sea fishing which he did regularly.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GZrVMU3-31I/TgrAlpmUuEI/AAAAAAAAI3U/WHvBKzH5awE/s1600/HjWan%2BE.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 348px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GZrVMU3-31I/TgrAlpmUuEI/AAAAAAAAI3U/WHvBKzH5awE/s400/HjWan%2BE.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623518837779773506" border="0" /></a>I will forever be indebted to Haji Wan Ee as during my tenure at Felda Sungai Tiang, I had left my .38 Smith &amp; Wesson Revolver in the restroom after doing an urgent call by nature at my office. Haji Wan Ee had entered the restroom and saw the revolver which he knew was mine and took it to me in my office. I just can't imagine how much trouble I would get if the gun had fallen into the wrong hand.<br />After some light snack and extremely delicious home brewed black coffee, we bid our good bye to his family and toured the village of Felda Sungai Tiang. Though many houses had been well renovated depending on how well the family of the settler is, some remain decrepit or left entirely unmaintained.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SuWI2pNFhgU/TgrAl3BipII/AAAAAAAAI3c/QjfCDefXZPU/s1600/Kedah%2BHouse.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SuWI2pNFhgU/TgrAl3BipII/AAAAAAAAI3c/QjfCDefXZPU/s400/Kedah%2BHouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623518841383593090" border="0" /></a>A typical Malay Kedah house on stilt after being renovate. Some had been renovated into a brick building.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfuk-TYupms/TgrAk-nJ7iI/AAAAAAAAI28/v05esWLKq-M/s1600/Abandoned%2Bhouse.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfuk-TYupms/TgrAk-nJ7iI/AAAAAAAAI28/v05esWLKq-M/s400/Abandoned%2Bhouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623518826240536098" border="0" /></a>A vacant house left to rot.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_VSTvp3LTI/TgrCDlPWPNI/AAAAAAAAI30/ekP3E7Vc4HE/s1600/Rubber.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_VSTvp3LTI/TgrCDlPWPNI/AAAAAAAAI30/ekP3E7Vc4HE/s400/Rubber.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623520451517365458" border="0" /></a>A rubber plot at the end of their economic life. The tree is being slaughter tapped to maximize income due to the high price of rubber. There is not much bark left to be tapped.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S79IWoetVpo/TgrCvVNW3pI/AAAAAAAAI4U/oRt2rJ1mrGc/s1600/SK%2BSg%2BTiang.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S79IWoetVpo/TgrCvVNW3pI/AAAAAAAAI4U/oRt2rJ1mrGc/s400/SK%2BSg%2BTiang.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623521203128295058" border="0" /></a>Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Tiang where my wife had taught before. Cikgu Mahathir had been promoted to the post of Headmaster before his posting to the State Education office and finally reached his retirement age.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7jNoupGOHHI/TgrCDlNpyDI/AAAAAAAAI3s/4dM94WG-1k0/s1600/mesjid.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7jNoupGOHHI/TgrCDlNpyDI/AAAAAAAAI3s/4dM94WG-1k0/s400/mesjid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623520451510257714" border="0" /></a>We made a final stop at the mosque in Sungai Tiang. At the time that I left Felda Sungai Tiang in 1981, the fund to build this mosque was just started and many of the settlers had pledge a certain amount each for the fund and later I was told they had managed to collect more than RM200,000 from among themselves. The cost of the mosque was estimated at RM500,000 at the time.<br />Some settlers had just performed their Asar prayers at that time and I shook the hands of many of them.<br />After performing my prayers I left Felda Sungai Tiang for Alor Star with a heavy heart as this land scheme had been dear to me. I had fond memories of the place though I was there only for about two years.<br />The hotel in Alor Setar had been booked online for two nights while I was in Pasir Mas. The Sentosa Regency Hotel is comfortable enough for me to saty in. Above all it has wifi which is a necessity for me to be incontact with my family and friends and also to make postings in this blog.<br />That night an old classmate by the name of Ahmad Saffian Mohd Nor came to the hotel to take us to dinner. Ahmad Saffian was my group mate during my study at Kolej Pertanian Malaya and since we parted after graduation in 1972, this is the first time we are meeting up.<br />Ahmad Saffian had not changed much in look and I could recognize him anytime. Ahmad Saffian I am so happy to meet you again.http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2011/06/trip-down-memory-lane-day-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-4743473998362868712Mon, 20 Jun 2011 09:04:00 +00002011-06-20T17:04:52.981+08:00PaintingsNew Zeal And Enthusiasm For Painting<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KiLXKAi2Egs/Tf7osWhQ4lI/AAAAAAAAI2U/kBaPflDwzA4/s1600/Lukise%2BPak%2BPin.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 331px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KiLXKAi2Egs/Tf7osWhQ4lI/AAAAAAAAI2U/kBaPflDwzA4/s400/Lukise%2BPak%2BPin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620185233661944402" border="0" /></a>The Perahu Nelayan Traditional for Pak Pin.<br /><br />2010 was a very lean year as far as my painting goes. For the whole of the year only one painting was done and it was upon the request of my wife Fatthiyah who wanted to give it to her school as a farewell gift upon retirement at the end of the year. Since it was done on a small canvass, the painting of a field of tulips did not have an impact and she had to buy another memento to replace it. Since it was her choice to do it on that size, I can't be blamed.<br />The above picture is my painting done for Tuan Haji Ariffin Mamat aka Pak Pin an avid collector of my paintings. So far ten of my paintings are among his collection in his home in Taman Melati, Kuala Lumpur. Pak Pin is a Malaysian Kelantanese residing in Jeddah. Pak Pin had asked me to paint another painting of the same boat that I did for Dato' Jaffar Lamri but from another angle. For this painting I had made another visit to the fish landing jetty in Pulau Gajah, Pantai Sabak, Kota Bharu. Lucky thing for me, the boat was still moored to the jetty. I had signed the painting in 2009 but did not deliver it till recently in June 2011.<br />Though he had asked me to deliver the painting to his sister's house in Kelantan, I did not do so as I was not satisfied with the painting. It was only in 2011 after further touch up that I felt it is good enough to be delivered. Together with other paintings for my children, I brought the painting to Kuala Lumpur and his son Aidil was kind enough to come and collect from me at Taman Amanputra while I was visiting my daughter. Sorry Aidil, uncle forgot to take a picture of you to be included in this blog. I promise that it will be included when I visit your home in KL.<br />Among my children, my youngest daughter was one of the earliest to have a painting done for her. The triptych was a slight deviation from the black and white that she had earlier requested which I failed to come up with something worthwhile. It was actually my first attempt at an abstract painting. It was named as Cantuman Kasih 1 as suggested by Pak Pin.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B6nuoKtiBbE/Tf7os-lVm8I/AAAAAAAAI2c/89LZbteDWeQ/s1600/lukise%2Brumah%2Botek.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B6nuoKtiBbE/Tf7os-lVm8I/AAAAAAAAI2c/89LZbteDWeQ/s400/lukise%2Brumah%2Botek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620185244416449474" border="0" /></a>Cantuman Kasih 1 as see on the wall of my daughter's home in Kerteh, Terengganu.<br /><br />Since the painting for my eldest daughter Azura was based on the same concept I as the one for Azini, I am naming it Cantuman Kasih 2. I even helped her to hang it on her wall. From the look on her face, she doesn't seem too happy with it especially after she had seen the one for my son Azrin and also the one for Pak Pin. I guess an abstract is not for her and I promise her to do another one or two.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sRfb8EkXxuA/Tf7o_nRs6MI/AAAAAAAAI2k/JvSyMAIGEJY/s1600/rumah%2Bzura.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sRfb8EkXxuA/Tf7o_nRs6MI/AAAAAAAAI2k/JvSyMAIGEJY/s400/rumah%2Bzura.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620185564577589442" border="0" /></a>Cantuman Kasih 2 on the wall of Azura's home in Taman Amanputra, Puchong.<br /><br />For my son Azrin I did a painting of The Bird of Paradise flower and it was on a bigger canvass as he had a large wall to cover. In fact he had asked of a 3' x 5' which I was not willing to attempt. Anyway the 30" x 34" unframed canvass took up another bigger dimension after framing and had to be carried in the passenger section of my cousin's car when taking it to KL.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1mDyrvbnmU/Tf7oq2HjLZI/AAAAAAAAI2E/6G6x3okedWk/s1600/drill%2Bhole.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1mDyrvbnmU/Tf7oq2HjLZI/AAAAAAAAI2E/6G6x3okedWk/s400/drill%2Bhole.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620185207784287634" border="0" /></a>Azrin is seen here drilling the holes to hold the painting.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s7SeQcO7fAg/Tf7orTC3pVI/AAAAAAAAI2M/GjX08NVD2r4/s1600/gambar%2Bbop.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s7SeQcO7fAg/Tf7orTC3pVI/AAAAAAAAI2M/GjX08NVD2r4/s400/gambar%2Bbop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620185215549285714" border="0" /></a>Space enough for some smaller frames to keep Bird of Paradise some company.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5S1pm_l1Go/Tf7pAb44eVI/AAAAAAAAI20/vp6j-zo6hgo/s1600/yani%2Btoo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5S1pm_l1Go/Tf7pAb44eVI/AAAAAAAAI20/vp6j-zo6hgo/s400/yani%2Btoo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620185578700568914" border="0" /></a>Azrin with his wife Yani and baby Ilham posing with the painting.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WtbVZp_qGKk/Tf7pAJMcRpI/AAAAAAAAI2s/aqIjdDkhhP8/s1600/the%2Bclan.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WtbVZp_qGKk/Tf7pAJMcRpI/AAAAAAAAI2s/aqIjdDkhhP8/s400/the%2Bclan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620185573682333330" border="0" /></a>The whole clan including yours truly wanted to be in too.<br /><br />Right now I am working with another three paintings. One is for Aleef Muhamad who had given me a picture of the paddy field near her home in Kelantan. Another is for a certain collector from Jeddah who maybe visiting my home in Pasir Mas. It will be a gift to him.<br />The third painting is a new request from a friend of my son Azuan by the name of Dominic Singh of Bank Negara KL. It is a painting of some Japanese kois and in its final stages of completion.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1mDyrvbnmU/Tf7oq2HjLZI/AAAAAAAAI2E/6G6x3okedWk/s1600/drill%2Bhole.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V8dzB3k8kxU/Tf7oqcJeZuI/AAAAAAAAI18/I8FxwrHD0k8/s1600/dominic%2Bsingh.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V8dzB3k8kxU/Tf7oqcJeZuI/AAAAAAAAI18/I8FxwrHD0k8/s400/dominic%2Bsingh.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620185200813041378" border="0" /></a><br />Hopefully 2011 will be a bumper year for me and my zeal and enthusiasm to paint will continue so that I will be able to cope with the few more paintings that was long overdue to some people.http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-zeal-and-enthusiasm-for-painting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-2470130619521294927Fri, 17 Jun 2011 07:39:00 +00002011-06-17T15:40:36.916+08:00SocialMok Su Retires As A Teacher.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9wORENBSbA/Tfr4D-tLnGI/AAAAAAAAI10/f1eLnN_pBqA/s1600/mok%2Bsu.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9wORENBSbA/Tfr4D-tLnGI/AAAAAAAAI10/f1eLnN_pBqA/s400/mok%2Bsu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619076232353913954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Mok Su with Ayah Su.</span><br /></div>If you are a teacher in Kelantan and after about about 35 years of service, you will be feted to a grand send off upon retirement. The send off will be much grander if you are a headmaster and has taught in several schools around Kelantan. That was what happened to our Mok Su.<br />Yesterday Thursday 16th June 2011 was the last day for our auntie whom we call Mok Su as she is married to our uncle Ayah Su, the youngest surviving uncle on my wife's side.<br />She retired as a Headmaster of Sekolah Kebangsaan Mahligai in the district of Gua Musang. Before the posting to this school, she had been teaching in such schools as Sekolah Kebangsaan Banggol Chicha, Sekolah Kebangsaan Bunut Susu and Sekolah Kebangsaan Pangkal Kala all in the district of Pasir Mas, initially as an ordinary teacher and later as a Senior Assistant before her promotion to a Headmaster of Sekolah Kebangsaan Mahligai where her service finally ended.<br />It has become a sort of tradition among teachers in Kelantan that almost the whole school teachers and some pupils will escort the retiring teacher from the school to the teachers home. Since Sekolah kebangsaan Mahligai is more than 150 kms away not everyone was able to send her off but the majority of the teachers did.<br />The entourage was scheduled to leave Mahligai very early to reach Bunut Susu at about 1 PM which is the lunch hour but due to constant arrival of parents from around the school who came to say thank you and goodbye to this Mok Su of ours, the entourage was only able to leave at about 11.00 and on the way way had to detour via Pangkal Kala as the shool had linep up the pupils as well as the teachers who wanted to bid farewell too. After passing through, the teachers from this school joined the entourage moving to Mok Su's home in Bunut Susu.<br />At her home the entourage was greeted by teachers from other schools who had arrived earlier.<br />The following pictures tell it's own story of how great the reception was.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YD0YND1ONHw/Tfr4DF0iqTI/AAAAAAAAI1k/l7HR8430lCc/s1600/bersilat.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YD0YND1ONHw/Tfr4DF0iqTI/AAAAAAAAI1k/l7HR8430lCc/s400/bersilat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619076217083963698" border="0" /></a>A silat performance upon the entourage's arrival<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tjxpnZ3cWqA/Tfr3nouBTjI/AAAAAAAAI1c/c6XAXYyDHGo/s1600/musician.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tjxpnZ3cWqA/Tfr3nouBTjI/AAAAAAAAI1c/c6XAXYyDHGo/s400/musician.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619075745415515698" border="0" /></a>The msic ensemble accompanying the silat performance.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yULPvY4QczA/Tfr3ncePfrI/AAAAAAAAI1U/ssV1AnumLv0/s1600/ucapan.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yULPvY4QczA/Tfr3ncePfrI/AAAAAAAAI1U/ssV1AnumLv0/s400/ucapan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619075742128111282" border="0" /></a>Mok Su giving a final thank you speech.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mUpU4G_3WKE/Tfr3myWSQFI/AAAAAAAAI1M/uaVD4yoexfc/s1600/makan.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mUpU4G_3WKE/Tfr3myWSQFI/AAAAAAAAI1M/uaVD4yoexfc/s400/makan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619075730820448338" border="0" /></a>Guests going for the late lunch.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ewyES4DV4Cs/Tfr3mgy4XVI/AAAAAAAAI1E/GYOceyG9ZoI/s1600/makan2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ewyES4DV4Cs/Tfr3mgy4XVI/AAAAAAAAI1E/GYOceyG9ZoI/s400/makan2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619075726108548434" border="0" /></a>The male guests having their lunch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9RAjPegkgTo/Tfr4DsZAhXI/AAAAAAAAI1s/3WqKI6KLBQY/s1600/cenderahati.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9RAjPegkgTo/Tfr4DsZAhXI/AAAAAAAAI1s/3WqKI6KLBQY/s400/cenderahati.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619076227437462898" border="0" /></a>Goody bags for all the guests.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ewyES4DV4Cs/Tfr3mgy4XVI/AAAAAAAAI1E/GYOceyG9ZoI/s1600/makan2.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-Yy-rTAoag/Tfr3mYGFseI/AAAAAAAAI08/z54HfkF8YHk/s1600/qamarina.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-Yy-rTAoag/Tfr3mYGFseI/AAAAAAAAI08/z54HfkF8YHk/s400/qamarina.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619075723773194722" border="0" /></a>Anak-anak sepupu Nur Qamarina and Nur Shafikak asked to be photographed and asked their pic to be uploaded to Facebook.<br /><br />When my wife Fatthiyah retired on 18th December 2010 after 37 years of service as a teacher, she was accorded the same treatment but on a modest scale as we don't have the capacity to handle such a big entourage. Never the less it was a send off albeit from just one school.http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2011/06/mok-su-retires-as-teacher.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-5513053565523515962Mon, 13 Jun 2011 03:13:00 +00002011-06-13T11:23:58.951+08:00FriendshpI FEEL HUMBLED BY THESE FRIENDLY ACTSI would have walked or even crawled from Pasir Mas, Kelantan to Kuala Lumpur if I had known that WA Hulaimi aka Awang Goneng of Growing Up In Trengganu (GUIT) fame would mention me in his latest book A Map of Terengganu (AMoT). The ocassion then was the book signing ceremony of AMoT by the author which I had to miss. In AMoT I was mentioned not just once but TWICE. The first mention was in his introduction as a word of thanks together with several other prominent people who had in some way or other contributed to AMoT, and later on page 56 under the topic of A Long Way From the Shore.<br />Awang Goneng had personally invited me to attend the first signing session at RA Galeri at Solaris Bangsar which was open to invited guests and his close relatives only. The occasion was scheduled on 30th April 2011. Oh dear, I just returned to Pasir Mas from KL after my Umrah and the next trip to KL was only scheduled for end of May together with my wife. There was no way for a poor pensioner like me to make an unscheduled trip to KL. So I had to pass the occasion as well as the next signing occasion at Borders on May 8.<br />Fortunately for me, my lamenting of helplessness on Facebook and blog post by Awang Goneng in his <a href="http://kecek-kecek.blogspot.com/">Kecek-Kecek</a> to get a signed copy of AMoT caught the sight of another blogger friend Fathil who goes by the blog name of Oldstock in his blog <a href="http://oldstock.blogspot.com/">Just Observations</a>. Fathil not only volunteered to get me a copy but to get it signed by Awang Goneng at the next signing ceremony at Borders!<br />When Fathil approached Awang Goneng to get the book signed for me, the author was surprised as he thought I had my copy signed already. I guess in the frenzy of his book signings, he lost track of all who came to him.<br />With the AMoT signed, Fathil sent me an SMS inquiring how to deliver the book to me to which I told him to keep the book till I meet him in KL when I will be visiting my daughter at the end of May 2011. Unfortunately it was only in 6th June that I was able to go to KL as I had to bring along my paintings for delivery to my children as well as a long overdue painting for <a href="http://bakpo.blogspot.com/">Pak Pin</a>, the prolific Kelantanese blogger residing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.<br />While establishing contact with Fathil to arrange for a meeting, he decided to come over to my daughters place at Taman Amanputra in Puchong as he consider it as not far from his place in Bukit Jalil. Well that was very convenient for me as I had no wheels to go out during the day time to meet him in KL. The only way out was to use the bus and meet up in KL somewhere near Central Market where the bus stop is. That will mean an inconvenience for Fathil since he will have to be away from work. So he decided to come to Amanputra after Isyak.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XXfFLVVc9TI/TfL8zH1cQnI/AAAAAAAAIzk/7hBOY5hP2Bs/s1600/Fathil.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XXfFLVVc9TI/TfL8zH1cQnI/AAAAAAAAIzk/7hBOY5hP2Bs/s400/Fathil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616829640491156082" border="0" /></a>This is Fathil aka Oldstock though he isn't that old compared to Pak Zawi. The grandchildren didn't want to be left out whenever the camera is taken out.<br /><br />Fathil came over at around 10 PM and it wasn't really difficult for him to find the house even without the help of a GPS which is really a necessity in a city like KL. Over a drink and some fried kerepok, Fathil took out the A Map of Terengganu from his small backpack. He surprised me by telling me that my name was mentioned twice in the book which almost took the wind out of me. I didn't know that, I told him.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E3Xtq5XkIi4/TfL8yrAdTOI/AAAAAAAAIzc/NcEMiG80aFk/s1600/autograph.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E3Xtq5XkIi4/TfL8yrAdTOI/AAAAAAAAIzc/NcEMiG80aFk/s400/autograph.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616829632752733410" border="0" /></a>The signed copy by the author Wan Ahmad Hulaimi.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AM4knPkGwfA/TfL8yCEeQ_I/AAAAAAAAIzU/Zyn6MnNBz_M/s1600/ag%2527s%2Bthanks.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AM4knPkGwfA/TfL8yCEeQ_I/AAAAAAAAIzU/Zyn6MnNBz_M/s400/ag%2527s%2Bthanks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616829621763720178" border="0" /></a>Can you see the name Pak Zawi in there?<br /><br />I had promised Awang Goneng that I would be writing about the games we played using the beluru seed which he called buah gomok or buah ipir in Terengganu. Unfortunately that promise was not kept by me as my thirst for writing anything had taken a nose dive during that time and any postings made during that period was half hearted at the most.<br />Anyway we played almost the same way as mentioned by Awang Goneng under the chapter of The Game of Gomok on page 57 to 61 by using the toe to project the beluru seed towards a target. The only difference was the target which in my case was another beluru seed stuck sideway with the broadside facing the player. This game can only be played on smooth earthen floor which was then available around most houses in Kampong Kangkong, Pasir Mas where I grew up with my maternal grand parents as a child.<br />The other game we played using the beluru seed was spinning the seed which is suspended on a loop of string inserted via three holes with two holes on one side and only one hole on the other side. The momentum created not quite unlike the yo-yo will allow the player to spin the seed perpetually. I guess the description of this game can only be done by an expert story teller the like of Awang Goneng with his mastery of the English language.<br />After an hour of getting to know each other more, Fathil took leave and refused to accept any payment for AMoT. For that I will owe him a painting as he had purchased a painting from me before. Fathil, I will personally deliver the painting to your home in Johor as another visit to my adopted state of Johor where I had worked for 7 years is long overdue. Fathil will be moving home to Johor soon as he has a job offer as a civil engineer back home closer to his family. The best of luck to you with your new job and please enjoy the company of your family.<br />Fathil made a post about meeting me at his site. Please read it <a href="http://oldstock.blogspot.com/2011/06/joy-of-meeting-friends-from-cyberspace.html">here</a>.<br />All these acts by these two dear friends as well as many others that I didn't mention, really humbled me. Such friendship will always be cherished.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RFuGiqGEXuc/TfVx_ESNLRI/AAAAAAAAI00/V5h6_-JAARY/s1600/amot.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RFuGiqGEXuc/TfVx_ESNLRI/AAAAAAAAI00/V5h6_-JAARY/s400/amot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617521438510361874" border="0" /></a>Pak Zawi enjoying AMoT while the grand children enjoyed being photographed while the eldest Lis enjoyed making faces.http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-feel-humbled-by-these-friendly-acts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-8078318360116181686Sat, 28 May 2011 08:45:00 +00002011-05-28T16:46:21.792+08:00FriendshpPak Idrus In Kelantan.It was on May 17th that I received a message on Facebook of Pak idrus' intention to visit Kelantan. When he confirmed his dates he asked me to book 2 rooms in Kota Bharu and the same number of rooms in Gua Musang as he intended to travel via the Kuala Lipis-Gua Musang route to Kota Bharu from Kuala Lumpur. Breaking journey in Gua Musang especially for elderly people like us who have exceeded the 10 decade marks is extremely necessary. Anyway if you know Pak Idrus, he is still young for his more than 70 years living in this world. Very often he outpace me when we walked around in KL.<br />This visit would be most appropriate for me to repay his kindness towards us a he had feted us to a sumptuous lunch at his place in Ampang when my wife Fatthiyah and me visited him with Akmal some years back.<br />The rooms in Gua Musang was booked for 24th May via an old friend living in Gua Musang. I specifically told him to book some comfortable room in Gua Musang New Town in order to surprise Pak Idrus who is a first time visitor to the modern days Gua Musang which has developed into a lovely township. Contrary to popular belief the recent development was brought about by the Majlis Daerah Gua Musang with the basic infrastructure put in place by Kelantan Selatan Development Authority (KESEDAR). Without the combined effort I doubt that the town would be like it is today.<br />The rooms for Gua Musang sector was easily done and I had to trust my friend Othman Hassan to get the nicest available room. The problem is for the Kota Bharu sector as my attempt to get rooms at The Royal Guesthouse on 25th May for two nights at the small cozy hotel was a failure since they had a large group on that day which will only check out on the 26th May morning. Though there are other larger hotels in town but I doubt that they will provide the kind of ambience that I want Pak Idrus and Kak Asmah to experience.<br />Browsing through the internet I found out that a new hotel belonging to Habib Jewel Sdn Bhd is already in operation. Knowing Habib Jewel's reputation as a seller of jewellery products of high quality, I believe they would do the same thing for their hotel. I called the hotel and was told that the required rooms were available and within the budget that Pak Idrus had given me. Take it from me that the price of the rooms are cheaper if you book via the internet. So when I confront the receptionist on duty about the lower price on the net, she agreed to give a discount.<br />When Pak Idrus checked into the hotel in Gua Musang, he was happy with the new hotel. His only comment was that the management should be more professional and stress more on maintainence as he had spotted some part of the wall papers peeling off. Small thing but important to discerning travelers.<br />On the afternoon of 25th May, we waited for Pak Idrus' and his entourage to arrive at the hotel in Jalan Maju, Kota Bharu. Pak Idrus had promised to leave Gua Musang early and I gave him three hours to reach Kota Bharu. He had brought his nephew En. Rahim along to drive for him. As a 70 plus year young man, Pak Idrus must be feeling his age when driving long distance.<br /><br />Immediately after checking into the hotel we headed for Kampong Kraftangan located near the Istana Balai Besar which is beside the Royal Guesthouse where I first wanted to book for Pak Idrus. As the parking lot close to the Kampong Kraftangan were fully occupied, we had to walk a short distance to the eatery.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dmZFZ33_Gio/TeBaPO9DBfI/AAAAAAAAIzI/NI5P0xvg_lQ/s1600/walking%2Bto%2Brestoren.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dmZFZ33_Gio/TeBaPO9DBfI/AAAAAAAAIzI/NI5P0xvg_lQ/s400/walking%2Bto%2Brestoren.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611584353462322674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JdVXEHKVDzs/TeBaOzc0wDI/AAAAAAAAIy4/VPZ5wFtMhn0/s1600/Dinner.jpg">They had to walk a short distance to Kampung Kraftangan for lunch. From left is En Rahim, my wife Fatthiyah, Kak Asmah and Pak Idrus.<br /><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faaG6MxQ8E0/TeBaOSE9rII/AAAAAAAAIyo/4IGjooKo2Rg/s1600/Budu.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faaG6MxQ8E0/TeBaOSE9rII/AAAAAAAAIyo/4IGjooKo2Rg/s400/Budu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611584337120963714" border="0" /></a>The restaurant is self service but there is an air conditioned room where it would be served albeit at a slightly higher rate. Who cares as all the tables outside were occupied since lunch is popular at this place.<br />We were served the ikan keli goreng (fried cat fish), ikan patin masak asam pedas, ayam goreng, an assortment of ulams fresh or boiled to be taken with either budu (fish sauce) or sambal. Even as a regular I was surprised with the whole bowl of budu that was brought to our table. They were more than enough for the five of us. In the budu not only chili padi was placed in it but also a dollop of durian which was certainly not a tempoyak since tempoyak is fermented durian. I think they may have run out of tempoyak and place the durian flesh instead of tempoyak. Anyway it is normal to do so to the Kelantanese. Now the Thai durian is in season and fresh durian is the only option. The durian season is Thailand is quite far ahead of our durian season in Kelantan. I believe lime juice has already been squeezed into the bowl of budu.<br />Pak Idrus dug into the ikan keli and he seemed to be the only person among the five of us who took it. I do take ikan keli but at that moment I preferred the ikan patin masak asam pedas and let Pak Idrus alone to enjoy the two large fried ikan keli.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-smWe5ckQNSk/TeBaOgR9MlI/AAAAAAAAIyw/OIOWHz5sHGo/s1600/Chegu%2BHamid.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-smWe5ckQNSk/TeBaOgR9MlI/AAAAAAAAIyw/OIOWHz5sHGo/s400/Chegu%2BHamid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611584340933554770" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJSkPvibu5g/TeBaO2AlfwI/AAAAAAAAIzA/CAQUK0eqzN4/s1600/garmin.jpg"><br /></a>Slightly later Chegu Hamid, the restaurant owner came to join our table for small chats. According to Chegu Hamid, even the royalties and their guests come to eat at this place. On such occasions the eatery will be closed to the public and his staff will take a rest after cooking all the food. All the servings will be done by the people from the istana who are familiar with the etiquette and only special crockery owned by the palace will be used. Today we have Pak Idrus and company using the room alas with normal crockery and served by the restaurant's own staff.<br />After taking them to their hotel we bid them good bye and let them paint the town of Kota Bharu red. Before leaving we invited them to dinner at our home in Pasir Mas.<br />It is not really easy to locate my home but knowing that Pak Idrus has a Minah Garmin GPS, I sent him my house address with the coordinates for good measure.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJSkPvibu5g/TeBaO2AlfwI/AAAAAAAAIzA/CAQUK0eqzN4/s1600/garmin.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJSkPvibu5g/TeBaO2AlfwI/AAAAAAAAIzA/CAQUK0eqzN4/s400/garmin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611584346766278402" border="0" /></a>The above pic showed Pak Idrus holding his Minah GPS.<br /><br />I guess he has yet to learn how to key in the location using coordinates instead of an address. Since the Minah GPS came from the United States of America, she has yet to know of such remote places as Jalan Pam Air KADA, Mekasar, Pasir Mas. The Minah GPS must have prompted him to key in Jalan Parit Air KADA, Pasir Mas Kelantan instead and thus led him to the other side of town in Lati instead of Mekasar. Luckily for him there was a platoon of policemen doing some sort of exercise. The sight of an important looking man in a brand new Honda Accord must have moved them to help out Pak Idrus and he was told that Mekasar is on the other side of town on the way to Kota Bharu.<br />He did the next sensible thing by calling me on the phone and I waited by the main road after giving some obvious landmark for him to locate. <br />As is anything with high technology, the output depends on the input. GIGO or garbage in and garbage out holds true for such equipments.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JdVXEHKVDzs/TeBaOzc0wDI/AAAAAAAAIy4/VPZ5wFtMhn0/s1600/Dinner.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JdVXEHKVDzs/TeBaOzc0wDI/AAAAAAAAIy4/VPZ5wFtMhn0/s400/Dinner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611584346079412274" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJSkPvibu5g/TeBaO2AlfwI/AAAAAAAAIzA/CAQUK0eqzN4/s1600/garmin.jpg"><br /></a>Here they are chatting after having dinner of nasi putih with ayam percik, telor goreng dadar with pucuk cekur manis, ikan kering and some beef curry. They all love the ikan tamban kering.<br />We adjourned to the living room and continued chatting till almost 11.00 PM when our tired body couldn't take it anymore. Hey old man like me sleeps early.<br />Pak Idrus and Kak Asmah, we were really happy to have you as our guests. Please take this post with a pinch of salt and laugh at those humorous parts as spices of life though it may bite you slightly.http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2011/05/pak-idrus-in-kelantan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-8556647223651540402Thu, 26 May 2011 04:56:00 +00002011-05-26T14:17:51.845+08:00TravelOUR NEXT TRAVEL DESTINATIONSThe last long distance flight to Mecca to perform our Umrah via Amman Jordan with a stop in Bangkok has put us off from making another trip to another destination longer than 6 hours. So for now we will take a break from long flights, limiting ourselves to just regional destinations or just Asean destinations. We have in mind such destinations as Chiang Mai and Phuket in Thailand, Jogjakarta, Indonesia, Siem Reap in Cambodia, Shanghai and Hongkong in China.<br />The spate of promotions by AirAsia has made it possible for retirees with a small pension like us to travel. They have benefited us immensely. The cheap fares to Kuala Lumpur is something we will always grab. Even if we are not going to travel beyond KL, we can always use the cheap fares to visit our children in KL.<br />We did secure such low promotional fares on 22nd November when the basic fare was just at RM10 each way per person. The total fare inclusive of airport taxes, convenience fees came to RM142.00 averaging to about RM71.00 per person which cheaper than the bus fares.<br />The next step was the purchase of the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Jogjakarta which came to a total of RM230 for two persons return but excluding the exit tax from Jogjakarta on the return flight. Hey that's just RM115 return fare per person.<br />For this trip we bought rooms in Jogjakarta from 22nd November to 25th November 2011 at the Malioboro Inn which cost us USD150 for the three nights. It was a mistake really as we had wanted to book the Malioboro Hotel which is located in a shopping complex and thus much more convenient. Anyway the inn is also a few minutes walk away from Malioboro Street, the heart of Jogjakarta.<br />For the visit to places of interest, we will just scout around at the travel agents on our first day of arrival as we are sure they can be easily done. What we have in mind is to visit The Borobodur on the second day and a day tour to Solo the next day.<br />We booked our KL trip for February 2012 on 16th March 2011 with AirAsia and the fare is a mere RM70 return for 2 persons. The whole fare inclusive of taxes and fees came to RM182.<br />A few days ago AirAsia went on another promotional blitz and advertised fares as low as RM0.10 or 10 sen on certain sectors including Siem Reap in Cambodia which had been on our wish to go to list. I was prepared to purchase the fare on the launching date which began at 12.00 noon on 23rd May 2011. On that day the AirAsia website was jammed with people trying to access the site. The jam only eased off in late afternoon and only then was I able to access the site to purchase my flight to Siem Reap on 27th February and the return on 1st March. Of course I didn't get the 10 sen fare to Seam Reap. On those dates the basic fare that I managed to get was RM50.00 per pax per sector. At this fare the total fare including taxes, fees, baggage and meals of nasi lemak for each one of us came to about RM620. This means a saving of some RM500 if I were to travel on the earlier dates of 26th Feb and return on 29th February 2012. This saving could easily offset the 10 sen return fare to Kota Bharu for the 1st of March 2012. At the basic fare of 10 sen per pax the total came up to just over RM50 when the airport tax, convenience fees and baggage was factored in.<br />For accommodation in Siem Reap, we chose the Soria Moria Hotel in the Wat Bo area as opposed to the earlier choice of Ta Prohm hotel in the Old Market area. Though the Soria Moria Hotel would cost us some RM200 more at USD50 per night, the close proximity to a halal restaurant known as D'Wau Malaysian Halal Restaurant was too tempting for us. Moreover, Faizal the Malaysian owner could connect us to a Cambodian free lance guide by the name of Yusof Palal. Yusof once studied at a Madrasah in Kelantan.<br />Should I get Yusoff's services in Siem Reap, I don't expect myself to be fleeced much of my USD and having a guide speaking in your own dialect is of course a bonus.<br />Before connecting with Faizal or Yusof in Cambodia, I need to connect with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Wzmah?ref=ts">Cikgu Zmah</a> who mentioned about them in her blog <a href="http://zmah-ceritaku.blogspot.com/">Ceritaku Untukmu</a> when she visited Siem Reap with her husband sometime ago.<br />As long as AirAsia could provide us with cheap fares, we will be able to continue flying all over the destinations covered by Airasia. I guess it is fair that they continue getting tax exemption as long as they can provide such low fares. Don't forget foreigners are enjoying this benefit too but as long as they keep coming to Malaysia in droves, there should be an advantage to the tourism industry.<br />Thank you AirAsia, now everyone can fly including pensioners like me.http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2011/05/our-next-travel-destinations.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229359910176145531.post-7661828365096311166Thu, 19 May 2011 08:16:00 +00002011-05-19T16:16:31.259+08:00FamilyThe Painting For Azini<span style="font-size:130%;">The painting for my youngest daughter Azini was started at the tail end of my work on the painting for my son Azuan. The first attempt of a three piece job on black and white based on her request didn't turn out well and aborted the job immediately after the first piece.<br />After communicating with her, she agreed with me to use a bit of color and I introduced crimson red beside black and white into the composition. This piece is considered an abstract piece which is something new to me as this is my first attempt doing an abstract.<br />Earlier on I had declined a request by Zaitgha of the blog <a href="http://zaitgha-dayindayout.blogspot.com/">Day In Day Out .... </a>from Seremban. The reason I gave her then was that I wasn't yet an accomplished artist to be able to do an abstract. To me somebody who does an abstract must be accomplished in all categories of painting be it landscape, portrait, figures and what not that are based on realism. On second thought I will never be able to do abstract if I were to adhere to that principle. On that basis I did this piece of abstract for my daughter Azini just to test the waters.<br />With encouraging response from the eventual owner and a few facebook friends I was confident enough to complete it.<br />Initially it was a two piece painting but Azini hinted that if would look even better if it were a three piece. I guess she must have plenty of empty wall to cover in her new house in Kerteh.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZP_OgxATJ0/TdTOxrdODxI/AAAAAAAAIyY/D8U-ExPGLJI/s1600/lukise%2Boteq.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZP_OgxATJ0/TdTOxrdODxI/AAAAAAAAIyY/D8U-ExPGLJI/s400/lukise%2Boteq.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608334788857302802" border="0" /></a>Some light repair will need to be done to the newest of the three as it seems to be lighter in color.<br />My next project will be for my eldest daughter Azura as she too wants a piece of my work after seeing the painting for Azini.<br />My initial sketches for Azura is as per below. I wonder if she will be happy with the scheme.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WqGs4GkNI8k/TdTOx4h8C0I/AAAAAAAAIyg/Jri1hVVoHEA/s1600/Lukise%2Blong.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WqGs4GkNI8k/TdTOx4h8C0I/AAAAAAAAIyg/Jri1hVVoHEA/s400/Lukise%2Blong.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608334792366754626" border="0" /></a>http://mohdzawi.blogspot.com/2011/05/painting-for-azini.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Pak Zawi)14